Chapter 7

Averon and Rose were outside the ruins. It was night already and some wolves could be heard howling in the distance. The smell of spring was almost overwhelming after being in the catacombs for a whole day.

'Damn, and just as I started to like him...Liam you idiot, playing the hero as always'

He punched the wall so hard pieces of rock flew through the air. He fought with Liam in the great war and they stuck together in Dawn as they did before. Losing people close to him was sadly nothing new for Averon, just like for many others in his generation. He was angry but quickly composed himself. It was night and they were alone outside the walls.

- We have to find the others and report. If none of them died we might be able to form a rescue party.

- Y..you..t..th..thin..k....h.e..he's...st..still...al...ali..alive???

- No, likely not but we're at least gonna kill those fuckers for what they did to our party.

Rose's stuttering was worse than before. She was holding back her impulse to cry...or she might've been in shock. Averon wasn't sure. He was sure that they had to get out of there immediately though.

They weren't far from the entrance and being only two they didn't attract any attention. It was also possible that the Hellhound blood they were covered in worked as some sort of defense.

When they reached the camp Rose collapsed and Averon went to talk with the expedition leaders. They approached him as a couple healers and teachers immediately rushed to Rose.

- What do you mean they're dead? You died against Beasts?

- Hellhounds, twelve or so. Eastern tunnel. There were traps, a shitload of them.

Four of the five adventurers immediately left towards the first tunnel to the north. They came back only fifteen minutes later with a whole party of four students and two more mercenaries which then split into two teams and left again. One of the adventurers lightly touched his shoulder as he sat by the fire.

- Damn shame for Liam. We're gonna get them though, be sure of it.

Averon only grunted in response. He was angry and frustrated. Talking wouldn't be a good idea in this state and he knew it. He also had to stay put. The adventurer who stayed with him was there to ensure Alveron won't make any stupid decisions. He checked on Rose who was still crying in the arms of her teacher. Another teacher approached him soon after.

- We're sorry about your loss and know that is wasn't yours or anybody's fault what happened. I never left the walls after the first year so I'm not sure how this works but what happens to the bodies? This whole expedition would be deemed a complete failure if those students were buried in this cave.

- Don't worry, we'll get em. What's left of em.

Averon was left alone after that. Half an hour later all parties were back at camp and the expedition leaders discussed the next steps.

- Averon you say you know the traps and there is a definite escape rout?

- Yes, I left through there...still have the golden head.

He showed them the Hellhound head

- Listen, I faced one of those traps once before. We managed to kill the hounds with some casualties but there weren't any more than the initial twelve.

One of the adventurers chimed in

- So you're saying it's safe?

- There are pretty high chances yes. And there are fourteen of us. Averon how many Hounds were there still?

- I'm not sure. No more than six.

- Then let's go, I can't wait another minute while those motherfuckers are eating away at one of ours.

Two of the fourteen mercenaries were left at the camp to guard the students from possible attacks. The rest quickly advanced to the eastern tunnel. Liam was a well known adventurer and more than one present owed him more than one life. Revenge and anger were more important at the moment than safety. They also were only two days away from the capital, there were no high level monsters around here. Except for the Hellhounds remaining.

The newly formed party went through the first room where the three skeletons were killed and quickly entered the corridor with the spears, only there were no spears.

- Careful, spear trap. Activates as soon as we reach the door. Stay together and pull the lever as soon as the spears start.

Averon informed everyone and they moved accordingly. As soon as they entered the room where scythes, arrows and spears still adorned the walls they heard a faint pounding. With every *thump* the walls shook and some arrows fell to the ground while dust was raised. The mercenaries advanced carefully while checking for traps as the sound grew louder and louder.

- What's that? Should we turn around?

- There's no way back. If it's a troll we can sneak by...

- With twelve of us? No way...but that doesn't sound like a troll, it's more powerful...

They weren't sure what to expect and were getting ready to fight. They came here with the resolve to die to avenge their fallen comrade. When they entered the hallway they saw something they didn't expect. Averon immediately shouted for them to stand down.

- Don't attack! That's...oh my god...your...how in the world...

Before them stood a being of rock vaguely shaped like a human. It was at least eight feet tall and four wide. It held the remains of a hellhound to the wall while using its other fist to smash it. There was a two feet hole in the wall where the beast's head should have been. Around the man laid several dead hellhounds and the remains of some humans but half of them looked different. Where most had wounds from cutting weapons around five were simply crushed.

- Absolutely crushed them...Averun you sure that guy's with us?

- I am, give me a minute

He slowly approached the stoneman and with a soft voice tried to talk to him.

- Connor, Connor it's me Averon. Can you hear me? Rose is safe. Connor talk to me.

The stone giant stopped punching the wall. His arms suddenly hanging to the side letting go of the Hellhound. Bit by bit the stone started to crumble and pieces fell to the ground next to him. The picture of a young man was painted before them, born out of stone. His face bloody and his clothes torn. In his eyes burned wrath that many of the ones present knew very well. Some of them approached him to treat his wounds while others gathered the corpses. In front of Connor floated a series of status updates:

Your class has changed to Boulder Breaker

Stone Skin has changed to Rock Mantle

Rock Mantle: Create a mantle of rock around your body to protect yourself from harm. Reduces damage taken by 50% (Tier 1). Increases unarmed attack rating by 250%. Deflects all attacks below a certain threshold. Threshold depends on your level, vitality and strength. Reduces pain by 75%.

Movement speed when activated increased by 25%

Requires 200 Vitality and 200 Strength to cast.

5 Mana per second to uphold.

Stats:

Vitality: +300

Strength: +300

Endurance +50

Intelligence +50

Wisdom: +50

Resistance +200

Would you like to keep these changes?