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“BeAauutiFUull. Very.”

A.K. felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand upland the group all turned to look down the corridor.

Standing there was a man. He wore flowing black robes with white runic symbols woven in-between. The robes opened up showing his horrifically scarred chest and neck. Blackened skin outlined the scar in contracts to his rather pale features. A.K. stared into the man's eyes and saw pure darkness. He instantly knew their little band of champions was in deep shit.

“SEEiizze theMM.”

Before they could react the ground burst open and swarms of ghouls came hurtling towards them.

“BATTLE FORMATION 3,” Jaecar roared out instantly moving to the front while the rest of the Champions removed themselves from their stupor.

The frontline fighters rushed to the front to meet the enemy while the range users pulled back.

“Let's go,” Mark said as he turned to A.K. before rushing towards the front. A.K. was right on his heels. They quickly caught up to the others who were already engaged. A.K. swung his ax executing [Fierce Chop] splitting the rank 2 ghouls that came hurtling towards him while parrying another.

He slashed at the beast, slicing off the clawed hand that was reaching for him. The ghoul drew back and A.K. went in to finish it off drawing out of the group. Only to immediately pounced upon by another 2 ghouls. The monsters seemed endless continuously rising from the ground.

A.K. fought tooth and nail another rank 2 ghoul had joined the fray making it a 4 v 1. They were attempting to surround him with two moving to flank him while his original target was backed up by the other. A.K. ready his buckler, he would be able to deliver a few more [Fierce Chop] however his stamina would insanely decrease.

“Calling on the wind hasten my steps.” [Swift Steps]

“Blacken my blade, poison the enemies within my path.” [Poison Thrust]

Ryna quickly pulled up from the left thrusting her blade out and stoping the ghouls from surrounding A.K.

Quickly thrusting her sword within the ghoul's shoulder and just as swiftly removing it before the ghoul went down. The ghoul in question frosted at the mouth before dropping its skin blackening. She moved on the next ghoul the one A.K. had previously injured before slicing a swallow cut from waist to shoulder. A.K. not wanting to be outdone himself delivered a [Fierce Chop] killing the third ghoul. Both A.K. and Ryna turned to the fourth and final ghoul quickly dispatching it.

“Never leave the safety of the group,” Ryna said with a smile and a roll of her eyes.

“My father has drilled that into me so much I’m starting to sound like him.”

“You’re right. I got caught up in the heat of the moment.”

A.K. and Ryna returned to the rest of the group, who were quickly dispatching the last of the ghouls. The necromancer nowhere in sight.

“Formation 5.”

The group which had the melee in the front and range in the back quickly shuffled until they were surrounding the ranged attackers A.K. and Ryna included. They began to proceed forward through the tunnel.

“We need to exit this place as quickly as possible. I need a status report on mana reserves an any injuries.”

A blond hair blue-eyed girl quickly spoke up. “Nothin but light injuries cap’n. Almost like they only sent the cannon folder. No sign of that necromancer either.”

“Thank you, Karla. We’re proceeding with formation 5 an gettin the fuck outta here.”

“Who taught you how to fight?” As they started processing Ryna spoke up to A.K.

“Mainly? Myself, I've had to learn how to defend myself since coming here.”

“The Catacombs is a dangerous place especially by yourself. You should stick with the Champions for a while.”

“I can’t unless you're traveling further down. I have a mission to complete within 5 years.” Since arriving in the Catacombs not a day went by when A.K. didn’t think of home. That's what kept him pushing forward constantly. If A.K. was being honest with himself he enjoyed his new life. He grew up like a prince and had clear duties and responsibilities laid out for him. A.K. was never good when it came to making decisions and the training that he received from his family had gone to great lengths to make sure he would be able to lead. This test of his was just another one of those lengths.

The ground rumbled again and the walls lit up with red runic symbols plastered over them.

“BleeEEed TheeM.”

The necromancer's voice was heard from all around them and the ghoul began to rise directly underneath the group. A scream was heard and abruptly cut off as one of the Champions fell into the hole. A rank 5 ghoul came out still munching on the body.

“CARL!” One of the adventures screamed out.

“FORMATION 1,” Jaecar called out face turning into a mask of rage.

“Huumans yummy.”

Another rank 5 ghoul burst from the ground and in a deep menacing voice proclaimed.

“Ohhhh shit,” A.K. exclaimed.

“Terrrrror.”

“Horrrrror.”

The two auras washed over the party and hell broke loose.

“FUCK I’LL NEVER BE ABLE TO PROPOSE TO MELISSA.”

“AHAHAHAHA THE GODS HAVE ABANDONED US.”

“GODS? THE GODS? BLAST THEM.”

The two auras washed over and A.K. fell to his knees shaking.

User A.K. has been afflicted with: Terror User A.K. has been afflicted with: Horror Attempting to resist. Attempting… Attempting… Attempting failed.

“WE'RE ALL GOING TO FUCKING DIE.”

“AGAIN, I’M GOING TO DIE AGAIN.”

“FOREFATHERS OF FOREFATHERS. THE CHAMPIONS OF MEN, GRANT ME YOUR BLESSING.” [Battlecry]

Another aura washed over the group and several auras quickly intertwined with it increasing its potency. A.K.'s mind quickly returned to normal and he quickly wiped the snot and tears from his face. A.K. wanted to feel embarrassed but the effects of aura had him feeling reinvigorated.

“Deeesssspaaairrrr.”

A third rank 5 ghoul emerged from the ground and its aura quickly countered everything Jaecar built up.

“Brrreeeak.”

A new fourth ghoul emerged from the ground.

User A.K. has been afflicted with: Despair User A.K. has been afflicted with: Break Attempting to resist minor insanity trait: Break Attempting… Attempting… Success! User A.K. has been afflicted with 3 negative aura ailments all stats will be reduced by 50%

A.K. felt as if something was tugging at his mind attempting to have him break completely into a blubbering mess. His mind could barely keep itself together as he experienced all these emotions. The same emotions he went through when [ Beyond ] took him away from his life, his family, and his home. Yet he also felt weak. The strength that had been filling his body since the moment he got here seem to start dispersing.

“Again.”

“Again I lack any strength to do anything.”

“Again.”

“Again.”

“Again.”

A.K. could hear roars in the distance that could only be the voice of Jaecar trying to rally his rank 3 and low rank 4 Champions to rise up. As the only rank 5 being here the aura affected him to a lesser degree and he used that opportunity to rally the strongest fighters to his side to protect what and who they could as the rank 5 ghouls slowly moved upon them.

A.K. could notice none of this as his mind was filled with the terror of dying, the horror at his serious lack of strength to protect himself. Finally, he felt plain despair. Despair at his lack of strength. Despair at his lack of progress. A.K. felt as if he was reverting to the self he was back on Earth an indecisive young man who couldn’t go left without always trying to see the benefits of right. Sometimes action is needed and not long decisions.

“Raikiri - Let the lighting be cut.”

“Ohhh Holy Light - Bring your blessing upon these lost souls.”

“Gaia, Our Mother Our Protector - Grant us your strength.”

3 voices and 3 new auras ran over the group and the nightmare and slaughter that was just beginning to take place quickly changed tunes.

A.K. felt his strength returning and his mind clearing up. At first, he felt embarrassed at his actions throughout the entire attack. He had been trained for this briefly and knew what to expect when being targeted by a rank 5 auras affliction. However, he had not been trained to resist 2 or more combining effects. Before A.K. could continue organizing his thoughts Shadow Bolt appeared from his shadow and instantly took him in her arms.

“Are you ok? How are you feeling? Did anything happen to you?”

Before A.K. could even respond Shadow Bolt proceeded to feel him all over checking for injuries and any other minor affliction. A.K. placed his hand over hers before she could go any farther and removed himself from her grasp.

“You work for my father, don’t you? No random stranger would be this glad to see me,” A.K. said with a smile.

A.K. had his suspicions since they first came upon each other. Since A.K. was born he's had guards plastered all over any area he would be. A.K. also had a suspicion ever since he met Shadow Bolt. The first person he met only showed minor hostilities. The Empire was safe but it wasn't that safe.

“There's no time for that we must get you out of here,” Shadow Bolt said giving A.K. a wry smile. She then started chanting in what A.K. could only assume to be an elven language. It was in a singsong voice and sounded more like poetry than a spell. This was the first time he heard her not use such a bland voice anymore.

A.K. proceeded to look around only to see a battle being raged around him and the sounds of the battle fully registered. Jaecar was roaring out orders and engaging one of the rank 5 ghouls. A.K. recognized it as the only one who said Break. He seemed to be protecting a figure behind him. A.K. looked closely and recognized it at Ryna. The girl had a goofy grin on her face and was drawing in the blood-soaked dirt.

In another direction, a lightning-covered figure was zooming around Horror leaving its flesh charred. Terror and Despair seemed to be fighting a lady bathe in light and another man covered in a suit of dirt made armor.

Another rumbled occurred and A.K. wasn’t sure if it was from the battle raging around him or the spell getting closer to activation. Shadow Bolt chanting picked up in speed and crescendo.

A.K. turned his attention to the rest of the Champions who were using their auras to help Jaecar fight. He watched as Mark picked up Ryna and ran towards his direction whilst a few of the still battle-able were surrounding the ghoul Break.

[Darkness on Darkness]

A spell was unleashed making the already dark tunnels darker. The ghouls seemed to expand and become bigger. They roared in defiance and sparks flew throughout the air as auras clashed.

“KEEEeeeEEhh.”

“keeeEEEhh.”

“KEEEeeHHH.”

The necromancer's laugh rang out.

“knOw FEAr.”

With those words reverberating throughout the battlefield a 5th ghoul popped out.

“Feeeeeeaaaaaarrrr Meeeeeeeee.”

A rank 6 aura swept over the battlefield. Surpassing all the others and suppressing the new arrivals and the Champions. It was not enough to overwhelm everybody at once however A.K. couldn’t help the bubbling fear that was building up in his chest.

The Fear of failure.

The Fear of dying.

The Fear of never achieving something significant.

The Fear-

A tight size from Shadow Bolt stopped him from going any deeper into his depressing thoughts.

“This is the necromancer's trump card. He’s only been stalling for time but I’ve finished the spell. [Shadow Gate] is a teleportation spell that will send you to the city of Cata a few hundred miles below us.”

“We’re leaving everybody then?”

A.K. knew what he said early but it still gave him an emotion he still didn’t know what to call. To leave thousands to their death didn’t sit right with him, yet growing up it had been reinforced how important A.K.s life was. The bridge between two major families and air to a dukedom the size of Pangea. The few kingdoms of men outside the Empire barely match up to the size of the dukedoms.

Even with all this information A.K. still didn’t feel good and his false sense of bravado from earlier was all but gone after the auras he experienced.

“I only have room for a few. Teleportation is still a tricky spell for me. No one above my rank.”

By now Mark had made it over with Ryna. Just in time to hear Shadow Bolt.

“Please take Ryna,” he said while thrusting her to A.K.s arms before turning to leave.

Hastily A.K. grabbed his arm stopping the man before he could leave.

“Where are you going? You’re only rank 3?” A.K. questioned tightening his grip.

“This is not our fight.”

A.K. felt Mark relax and he loosens his grip upon the man only to receive a swift punch to the face.

“Mark Magnus does not run.”

That was what A.K. heard in his daze.

[Blood Sacrifice]

[Shadow Gate]