Author: Aegis, Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 7:13 PM, Post Subject: But Mummy! [P/R][Event]

He spun around with a clean horizontal slash to the lich’s waistline when he saw the piece of the crystal coming down at the creature. He stopped immediately in his tracks and jumped back as it made contact, shrapnel pieces of the ruby whizzing by his face. Nice shot he thought to himself as he fell to his knees. He was completely exhausted and the magic that he had cast was starting to fall off. Yet it still wasn’t enough, as the lich started once again to rebuild itself.

As the lich was approaching Zanar, the pyramid started to shake and Zanar looked up to see the final moments as the ruby shattered completely. The High priest immediately knew and turned to watch as his anchor to the world was cut off. Screaming and leaving his blind spot open, Zanar took advantage of it. With a quick stroke of his blade, the lich’s head came off his shoulders and the body collapsed with no sign of life anymore flowing through it.

The air of the pyramid also changed as whatever that crystal was anchoring to the physical world, was starting to return. The foulness and putridness of the air started to disappear as well. He looked up at Kaylani and saw her fall from the crystal. “God damn it,” He said to himself and ran to her before she made contact and caught her. The momentum of her fall made his knees buckle but he still managed to hold his ground.

“Yes I believe you are right, we are done here,” He stated as the limestone and granite started to fall around them. She was probably exhausted from using whatever magic she had to destroy the crystal and he still had some time left on his agility spell. “Well, it seems we will be leaving the same way we entered. Hold on tightly,” He said and started to run through the complex to the entrance of Pyramid.

Author: Kalyani, Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 4:16 PM, Post Subject: But Mummy! [P/R][Event]

Kalyani worked on the ruby. What appeared to be a tough outer shell was really nothing like that at all. The amount of spirits that it had been collecting had made it rather brittle. Once she peeled off a layer of the ruby she threw it over the side at the lich with expert aiming. “BE CAREFUL ZAN!” Kalyani yelled down at him as she ran back to her little hole.

It appeared that it was slowly closing on her as she stuck her hand in it. “Ok… here we go.” Her plant body began to expand from her arm, this was the quickest way that she could see blowing the damn thing up. She, however, ran into a small tiny problem. The souls of the gem wouldn’t allow her to break it more than a few cracks.

“COME ON DAMN YOU,” She beat the ruby with her free hand before pressing her hand onto it. An incantation began to leave her lips. It was loud and powerful as the whole pyramid began to shake. The ruby began to crack… the reverberations coming from the ruby itself sent the chunks flying.

The lich screamed in her direction giving Zanar the perfect opportunity. Though without the ruby it wouldn’t be able to reform. Finally using the plant vines from herself she managed to finish splitting the ruby. Though as she stood on the base of what held it up she got dizzy… She began to plummet off the side of it towards the cold stone ground. The entire pyramid began to shake once the loss of the ruby finally resonated throughout the entire building. Kalyani groaned a bit. "We need to go… I think it's coming down."

Author: Aegis, Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 3:38 PM, Post Subject: But Mummy! [P/R][Event]

The Lich obviously did not like the effects of the blade cause he immediately tries to backhand Zanar, but thanks to the great agility spell he managed to duck under the attack and pull Vox from the creature. He saw Kaylani run to the ruby and started to whack at it. The creature tried to turn his attention to her, but Zanar stood in front of him and held his blade out towards him. "Face me lich." The fear that once struck his body was gone, for he had something to protect now. How foolish was he to let this putrid aura get to him when they first entered.

The Lich immediately responds with what seemed like a bestial roar and gathered what seemed like dark energy in its palms shooting it out at Zanar. He managed to roll under them and struck out at the lich with an upper slash. The blade hit nothing as the creature turned into a torrent of sand and flew behind him and formed again behind him kicking the swordsman down again.

It gave it time to try and strike out at Kaylani as Zanar recovered from the feint. "Just focus on it, this abomination will trouble you no more." He had a plan, but if it didn't work the feedback would tear his body apart. He threw another dagger, this time it landing square in the back of the undead lord. It turned to roar and throw another bolt of dark magic at Zanar, but Zanar had anticipated this and used his speed to get up close and under its field of vision.

"I'll be borrowing some of that magic." A faint blue glow covered the swordsman's hand and he planted it right into the rotting chest of the lich. Absorbing some of its mana into his own body, it was a putrid dark mana, but it resupplied him enough to do what he needed. Quickly he back peddled and held his blade out in front of him.

"Heavenly lights, imbue this blade."

Moving his index and middle finger along the side of the blade a holy light enveloped it and bound with the dark natural energies of the blade. This gave the blade a dark light glow to it. "Let's see if you can handle both light and dark!!" A flurry of quick precise strikes came from as Zanar put it all into them. He only hoped it was enough as he would be completely drained after this all out attack.

Author: Kalyani, Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 3:19 PM, Post Subject: But Mummy! [P/R][Event]

Kalyani was frozen in her tracks as she stared at the mighty ruby. The malevolent energy coming from it had her shaking. She had never felt anything like that in her life. The dinging from the ruby as the dagger hit even made her head hurt. The sound reverberated off the pyramid walls as she slipped a bit. It was enough to make her eyes see specks of different colors. She could literally hear the colors thanks to the dagger. This ruby was going to be the toughest part of everything.

“ZANAR LOOK OUT!” It was too late as the lich priest appeared before him. He hit Zanar hard and she let out a scream as she tried to run over to him. He was so fragile, this was playing into her fear so much so that she didn’t even see the lich coming for her. Zanar’s quick movements washed a sense of relief over to her as she realized the danger she had put herself in. Her mind began to clam and she realized that even though he was quite fragile, he was still strong enough for this task.

“Keep him busy,” she didn’t need to tell him that. She looking for something hard and settled for a good strong piece of the throne. Over the course of centuries, it must have broken off. She began to scale the walls and centerpiece of the room as she made her way up to the ruby. It was so massive that she was able to plop herself up on top of it. The uneasy energy around her made her black hair practically float like she was in water. She began to beat the ruby with a resonating force. It was enough that when she finally put a crack in it, the sound it made filled the room.

The lich put his attention on her and flung magic up her way but she was able to dodge it fairly easily. “I need him off my back… rubies are strong but they aren’t the strongest force in the world.”

Author: Aegis, Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 3:06 PM, Post Subject: But Mummy! [P/R][Event]

As they proceeded, it seemed like the undead forces got stronger and stronger. They were feeding on the every growing energy from the crystal. The crystal itself was also feeding upon the pyramid as tendrils of ruby were lining the walls and floors of the structure the closer they got to the center of it. Now he had to also watch over Kaylani as she was now using magic to defend herself. He knew elves had a decent reservoir of mana in them but with how many they were fighting she could push herself past that, as he did not know a thing about Rosenite.

They finally reached the throne room, and within it, the ruby lit the whole room up in its crimson glow. A throne sat just before it and Zanar could barely make out the figure in it. The keeper? He thought to himself. He then tried to activate the mana in his eyes to see if it was tied to the crystal, but was immediately hit with an aura wave and brought his hand to his eyes to shield it.

"This is…how the hell," He said fear obviously struck in his voice as he brought down his hand. What seemed like a tear of blood came down from his right eye, the result of the strong aura that was in the room. "The crystal is the key…but something…" He didn't know how to explain it, but they needed to act and quick. He took out a throwing dagger from an inner sleeve of his coat and threw it the crystal, just to gauge its toughness. When it struck a loud shrill rang throughout the air.

Disoriented he did not see the figure disappear from its throne and appear before the swordsman. The only thing he knew was he felt a boney palm strike his chest as he flew back into the wall. The wind knocked out of him once again he looked up to see the lich turn to try and strike Kaylani as well. Instinct immediately took over Zanar and he activated both a greater agility spell and strength spell, the feedback on his body was intense but it let him run up and drive his katana through the lich's torso.

The blad'es own effect activated on Lich, but he knew it wouldn't be long before it regained its composure and struck at them again. "The crystal!! We need to destroy it and quickly!," he yelled to Kaylani. He had to distract the undead lord, he only hoped that her magic could break the crystal itself.

Author: Kalyani, Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 2:47 PM, Post Subject: But Mummy! [P/R][Event]

“Oh no, I imagine that this weapon will be useful if we ever have to interrogate someone.” Gods help any man or woman that pissed Kalyani off. Her mind was rather devilish at times. “I imagine it is a good tool for cutting off airways. Not having air to breathe tends to make people more willing to talk.” At the thought of Vox, she chuckled. “It hasn’t failed you yet but there will be some enemies that disrupting their mana flow won’t help with… This will help with that. We will have all of our bases covered.” If they were going to hunt down bad people might as well make sure they have all of it covered.

Kalyani nodded at his thought process. “Seems like a good point to have. I would have never figured it out. Granted we must not set off any more traps or we could end up back at the bottom or worse… dead.” She chuckled a bit as she kissed him again. “I'm just glad my personality hasn’t run you out yet. Not many people have the balls to deal with me and stand up to me.” She chuckled a bit. Especially remembering how he reacted when she had him against the wall naked before. Granted that had just been a game but he stood up to her where others probably wouldn’t have.

When things took a somber turn she gave a light smile as he kissed the top of her head. “Good… because I would probably bring you back and kick you in the shins for leaving me.” There they were laughing in a damn pyramid over something that quite honestly probably mattered more to them than why they were there. “I’ll remember that.”

She moved her hair out of the way as he put it around her neck. Her amber eyes moved down to it as she admired how it looked against her dark skin. “Hopefully I figure out what it does.” She chuckled a bit. “Finish what we can so we can get the hell out of here.” She said with him as she kept by his side. Without her skillet, she now had no weapon but her magic.

She wasn’t sure what magic would do against beings like this but they fought their way to the top. They had a minor run-in with the damn mummies and traps but once they got to the center… The game changed. “Zanar,” her voice was hushed as she looked towards a figure sitting on a throne at the epicenter of the rushing souls. “Be careful… I don’t know how much use I am going to be here…” She could see the giant ruby surging with energy above the lich.

Author: Aegis, Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 8:23 PM, Post Subject: But Mummy! [P/R][Event]

The warning he would take to heart about the weapon, yet it was probably something he could make use of. Though he had trained more with katanas he was sure that he could handle this weapon with a few days of practice. "Well, I guess this enchantment will be on our side from now on then. Never hurts to have a back-up. I'm sure Vox won't fail me though."

He didn't have the eye for the details of the things like she did. He figured this chamber was of some importance but didn't figure it was a burial chamber. There were probably more of these littered throughout the pyramid, and probably the goal of most adventurers. Their goal was to stop the curse, looting would have to take a lesser priority.

"Yes but thankfully layouts for these structures have steep inclines as passages, so getting to the higher floors won't take as much time as getting to the structure itself."
As he was contemplating where to go and what to look out for, he felt Kaylani push the weapon out of her way and kiss him once more. Took him by shock still, but nowhere near as much as the first time. She thanked him and he just smiled at her. "I promise you that. And worrying about you, I guess our time together just made me see you in a different light."

This person in front of him though, hands cupped to his cheeks, was someone he did not recognize. Was this who she was when the walls started to crumble? He understood her fears and her worry. He did not have the bloodlines that flowed through her veins, and he was even weaker than most humans and susceptible to magical backlash more than most. He kissed the top of her head.

"You are right to worry, I would if I were in your shoes." He stated truthfully, "But I swear to you, that I won't let my human frailty keep you alone, after opening yourself up to me like you did." He laughed and smiled back when she mentioned the skillet, her signature weapon.

"Oh, I most definitely do not want to be on the receiving end of that skillet of yours."

He tucked the kopesh into his belt as well as he could and then went behind Kaylani and hooked the choker around her neck. "The blade is mine, this choker is yours, I'm sure you'll be able to find out what it can do for you. Maybe it will save us in here." He made his way to the exit of the burial chamber, making sure to keep an eye out for any traps.

"Now let us finish this, or do what we can, and both come out of it in one piece"

Author: Kalyani, Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 7:51 PM, Post Subject: But Mummy! [P/R][Event]

Kalyani listened to him and started to laugh. “No, I suppose I cannot. Also, I was fairly certain it would work. If you had stopped to get me we wouldn’t have made it.” She wagged her finger at him some more. “I had to chance it.” Tilting her head she softly nodded. “Yeah, can’t say I want to go back to being alone again.” With him, she felt like she could be a little less stubborn than normal. “But that means that I will be hard on you. If you try to leave I will be very upset.” She wagged her finger some more.

She took hold of his arms as he pulled her up. “Thank you, Bryony taught me to think on my feet… as well as apparently off my feet.” She moved around the room and tilted her head. “It’s a burial chamber. Back in the ancient days, they would bury their dead with valuables…” Once he found the items she tilted her head. “Items just like those. I wouldn’t touch that sword’s edge if I were you… It’s got a deadly enchantment on it.”

As for the necklace before she had never seen such a beautiful choker. “The gems in it… They are wonderfully crafted…” The gold was so finally formed and the gems were crafted with care. She could tell they were emeralds in the dim light as her small fingers moved over the gems. “They are enchanted both of them… Enchantments tend to make items live longer without tarnishing. You’ve found some very special treasure. However, it has been at a price. I think we’ve gone deeper into the bottom of the pyramid… We’re supposed to be climbing it. Not that we had a choice.”

After a few moments, she bounced on her toes as she contemplated something. Her actions were quick but she moved the weapon aside and pushed herself up kissing him gently. It was less overwhelming than before so she could be on her toes in this place. “Thank you for worrying about me. I’ll try not to do it as long as you try to do the same.”

She put her hands up to his face cupping his cheeks. “Promise me that you will be even more careful than I am. You are human and that makes you fragile. To be honest, I think that scares me more than this dumb pyramid.” Her hands moved up and she let her fingers go through his hair. “I’m scared you are going to get hurt and I’m not going to be able to bring you back from that edge. I know it sounds bad but it was the first thing that crossed my mind when you kissed me.” She frowned a bit. “I am scared of your mortality.” She put her forehead onto his chin being as short as she was. “I’ve never cared about anyone before so this scares me.” She was free to tell him her fears here… They were alone and no one could hear this weakness of hers.

“You try to tell anyone what I just said and I’ll smack you into next week with a skillet.” Kalyani smiled at him and laughed full-heartedly.

Author: Aegis, Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 2:11 PM, Post Subject: But Mummy! [P/R][Event]

I deserved that one

He thought as he felt her hand come across his face. Before he could say anything else or even think anything else she had pulled him back and returned the kiss. Of all the places in the world, an undead-infested pyramid was one place he never thought. He let the moment and rush of emotion get to him as he picked her up and pushed her back into the limestone.

He did not hear or feel anything move, but the moment was cut short when Kaylani pulled away and told them to run. She easily got out of his grasp and dragged him along with her, and he looked back to see a large boulder slam down onto the ground and started to roll towards them. The floor had just the perfect incline which made the boulder slowly pick up the momentum.

He started to run ahead of her, due to her injury and felt her hand slip as she tripped. He tried to turn heel to get back to her, yet was thrown through the open door by a large gust of wind. Landing on his back he coughed as the wind was completely knocked out from him. He could only hear the door slam shut as. He had just warned her of self-sacrifice and she goes ahead and ignored what he said.

Before he could get back up to his feet Kaylani appeared above him and few inches and fell on top of him. This, again, knocked the wind out of him and he just laid there catching his breath after the ordeal. Teleportation magic, she better not have just got lucky!!

"Can blame a guy now can you? Also, what did I tell you about sacrificing yourself?!" He chastised her as he laid there. She made a joke about their luck ever since they met, and he just shook his head a little. "Well at least you can say you had some fun in it, better than living alone is it not?"
So she did just get lucky… He thought to himself.

He finally was able to get up and helped Kaylani completely to her feet as well. "Either way, nice thinking back there." He looked around the room they were in. It was a little more decorative than the hall they were in. Also, skeletal remains were around them as well. Markings of what appeared to be scarabs were etched into the walls. "Strange room this is, wouldn't you agree?" He caught a glimpse of something glimmering in the torchlight out of the corner of his eye.

He looked over and saw a blade on the ground, curved near the top of the blade but straight on the lower half. A kopesh used often in desert-dwelling areas. The blade itself had a strange aura coming off of it, and it was still in near pristine condition. There was also a necklace in the grasp of the skeletal hand that was near the sword. Marked with a scarab just like the walls.

He grabbed both items of interest and turned to face Kaylani. "Strange, both of these items are in fair condition for what seems like an ancient structure..maybe there are properties to them we know not of?" He questioned.

Author: Kalyani, Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 11:17 AM, Post Subject: But Mummy! [P/R][Event]

“Don’t let her know she was right or it will make her ego inflate more.” Kalyani looked amused for a moment but even she knew that Bryony was hardly ever wrong. It was just within the oracle’s prophecies to know what would be… Yet here they were falling right into her trap.

After she woke up she nodded and watched as he heaved breaths of air. He needed that moment greatly as her feet touched the ground. She had a little limp but it didn’t appear to be hindering her too much. She was distracted for a moment but his voice brought her back as she turned to him and tilted her head. “What do you mean?” Then he continued and it made her jump.

Her hand came up just a little too fast for her to think about it as she slapped him hard. There was shock written on her face but took no time at all for her pull him to her and kiss him back. It was completely the wrong time for this, but they were stubborn in nature… and probably had a lot of impulse in them as well. Zanar picked her up and put her against the cool sandstone behind her.

Click

Kalyani pulled her head back from him and her ears heard what his couldn’t. “Zanar… RUN.” She fought her way out of his arms and pulled him with her. Her limp began to act up and she pushed him ahead as she fought to keep up. There was no time for him to stop and help her. There was a massive boulder coming down a shute chasing after them. “THERE!” It was a room up ahead.

There was an uff as Kalyani tripped over herself. She sent a gust of wind ahead of her to push Zanar the rest of the way to the door. The door had been closing and there wasn’t enough time for her to be helped and them to make it. This was a risky move and she knew it. She looked behind her at the boulder seemingly too close for comfort. “Ok… Ok…” The door was shut now but she teleported herself on accident right on top of Zanar. “GAH!”

It had been far too long since she used her magic. “Do me a favor the next time you think it’s a good idea we attempt to consummate whatever we have. DO NOT do it in a trap-filled room…” She was breathing heavily from so much magic as she pulled herself up. “Ever since I met you… It has been a string of bad luck.” She wagged her finger at him and laughed to show she didn’t really regret it. “I didn't know if that would work or not.”

Author: Aegis, Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 10:45 AM, Post Subject: But Mummy! [P/R][Event]

He did not need her to remind him that he had no magic, as his agility spell had already worn off. It was nowhere near as powerful as it once was. Weird for him to hear her give her some concern though, she always had this tough façade on. Then again living on your own for years on end, would bring walls up around people. "Fair enough, not going to let these bastards taste our flesh!"

"Well I guess that means Bryony's prophecy might be coming true after all eh?," He said to her as he ran through the streets, seeing the entrance come closer and closer at hand. He had remembered meeting the woman who raised Kaylani, and her prophecy and had kept that in his head wondering as to why she had seen that.  Yet, even after being fully healed he had stayed.

He felt her kiss as she rested her head near his neck, normally would stop and question but he had no time. Even though they were getting closer and closer to the pyramid more of the undead were appearing around them. He could feel her healing magic as she began, the same warmth that spread out through him when she healed his wounds. It was calming just feeling it and allowed him to remain focused

It is always the danger, danger that brings out the truth.

He ran past the statue depicting what seemed like one god striking down another, of course, it's always the gods involved with these affairs, and finally into the pyramid itself. All the undead that were following them had halted and ignored them as they entered the structure. This did not sit well with Zanar, he knew this was going to get worse and worse as they continued on.

He noticed that she had stirred back to and he complied with her request to put her back down. "Seems safe for now, also need a moment to rest," He would be lying if he said he wasn't worn out. Running with her in his arms and the usage of mana was starting to take its toll on him. Thankfully it seemed like whatever happened with his sword didn't drain the mana from himself, but he doubted he'd be able to use that ability again for a while.

"There is also one other thing," he stated. Not caring if this wasn't the time or the place to do it. If they were going to die here at least it would be off his conscious. "We both need to stop being so stubborn, we both know and feel it and just need to shut up sometimes." He stated and leaned over and kissed her.

Author: Kalyani, Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 9:10 AM, Post Subject: But Mummy! [P/R][Event]

There was a huh noise that left her lips as he began to get stubborn with her. “And here I thought you would like an attitude adjustment on my end.” There was a disgruntled noise that left her lips. “You though… You do not have magic. If you are going to be stubborn with me just promise you will run fast.” There was concern coming from her lips as she thought about it. She worried because he was human.

For a moment her eyes grew wide at his resolve to protect her. She didn’t honestly think he would care. Humans were the scourge of the earth… They did nothing but violate and taint anything they touched but Zanar? He was like her. He understood the evils on all sides. This one tiny human set an example for many as he picked her up. “Fine, just promise me that you will run fast. Also to even be able to monitor that I never say it again… It means you can’t go anywhere from me. Otherwise, I can’t promise I won’t say it.” Anyone else would have left her to die, she was sure of it.

She moved her head up and put her forehead against his neck. Closing her eyes she listened to the heartbeat he had. Laying a kiss on his neck tenderly as she let her healing magic do the work for her as she slept. It worked better if she didn’t have the distractions of the pyramid. Her magic was powerful but limited in ways, however, self-healing wasn’t one of the things she failed at. She was good at it from the years of being on her own.

After what seemed like forever she stirred away. Her ankle wasn’t as bad as what it was but she would still have that limp for a little bit. Her brown eyes looked at him a bit differently than before but it was only for a split second. “Can you put me down now? I think I can walk.” There was that stubbornness again. Even if she felt something she was being awfully stubborn about it.

Author: Aegis, Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 8:24 AM, Post Subject: But Mummy! [P/R][Event]

He saw the lightning bolt before it struck, yet being human as he was he could not outspeed it before it struck Kaylani. He growled at the woman, his grip on the hilt of his blade grown tighter. He wanted to draw it and to strike the mage down, but every creature facing death such as this goes back to their most basic instinct. To survive. This mage was not his concern, right now Kaylani was and he knelt down beside her.

The bolt had struck her good, cauterizing any sign of it tearing the flesh. If it had hit her anywhere else it may have been a fatal strike. She got up and rested next to a wall and told him to flee and leave her behind. She would use her connections with the gods to make sure she would come back alive, yet even he knew that it wouldn't be the same person. "I'm sorry, but the soul shatters and is broken upon death. Even those with powers over that domain cannot restore the soul to its entirety. It's the reason why resurrection magic needs to be used immediately to prevent that." He noticed the horde coming up on them.

These damned creatures, they were proof of what that sort of magic could do if the soul was completely gone. A husk, craving to feed and destroy, empty vessels serving the master.  "So I am sorry, but this one time I am going to not listen to you being stubborn," He turned to face the horde. "You have healing magic, if you can heal my broken body as quickly as you did, I'm sure that small wound will be nothing to you." There was also something else that he wanted to try with the blade. He had felt that was something else.

He took a deep breath and took a stance with his blade, one hand holding the sheathed katana while the other hovering over the handle. He could feel the magic gather around the blade in its sheath, he just had to wait for the right moment to strike. This blade was meant to strike down mages, sapping their mana, it must have had a way to do that at a range. When it felt like enough was gather he quickly drew the blade in a wide arc in front of him and a crescent blade of dark energy shot forth from it.

It struck the mummies in the front, cause any flow of mana in their bodies to be sapped and erupted as if it was struck by the blade itself. This disrupted their movements as they tumbled and fell over the ones struck with the energy wave. It would buy them enough time, so he quickly turned and scooped up Kaylani in his arms and ran to the entrance where they could be tunnel necked easier.

"Kill me later, focus on healing your wounds. And never talk about sacrificing yourself again."

Author: Kalyani, Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2017 5:46 PM, Post Subject: But Mummy! [P/R][Event]

Kalyani looked over at Zanar and sighed. “We should burn the bodies we come across so we don’t have an undead horde… As morbid as that sounds.” They worked together on a plan for entering the pyramid and the half-elf sighed a bit at the thought. “That is true we are going to have to be extra careful…”

Kalyani stared at the horde only for a moment once they got outside. “Thanks,” she could feel the magic in her blood as the two of them took off. “Try not to use up too much of your magic… You know how your body is.” She scolded him easily as they had been traveling together long enough for her to know his habits and how his body responded to his magic. She was shocked at herself for caring for this man but still, she pushed it out of her mind right now.

Fighting like the best knight she hit the mummies hard with conserved energy. She needed it for the pyramid but as they ran closer to the pyramid a stray lightning bolt hit her right in the leg as they crossed paths with another mage. “Stupid woman learn to stay out of the way,” yelled a mage as Kalyani screamed in pain. She fell down and looked at her ankle and foot which had been not only burned greatly but had bits of blood from before the wound was burned shut.

She winced as she tried to get back up and looked at Zanar with a bit of pity. “You need to go inside. You’ll only get hurt out here if you stay with me.” She put her back against the wall and looked at the horde of undead coming this way. “Not trying to say you can’t be a hero or anything but… face it we’re friends with the Goddess of Life if I die she can just bring me back.” Kalyani being logical sounded rather harsh on herself. Rather dramatic too but she was being serious, dead serious. She didn’t want Zanar to stay with her or carry her.

Author: Aegis, Posted: Thu Oct 5, 2017 11:49 AM, Post Subject: But Mummy! [P/R][Event]

He took the bowl from her and sat down next to the fire, even though they were in a desert there was an unearthly chill to the place that he couldn't get out of his bones. "Thank you," he smiled back and began to eat. He took his time to savor it, as he knew it would be their last "fresh" meal until they took care of what they could there. "So even though they are undead, their instincts of survival still take over their action to kill. That could be something we could use to our advantage."

He finished the bowl that she had given him and set it to the side. He got up and headed to the doorway taking a look around at the surroundings. They were safe for the time being, and he could hear fighting out in the distance. He could also smell the blood that was in the air, knowing that there have been some deaths from this darkness. "More bodies, more fuel to the undead army. Why must people's greed lure them to this place? If they can't fight they should stay back and let us who can do so." Shaking his head he made his way back to the fire

"We need to make our way to the Pyramid, maybe there is a route we can take and not run into the main forces of the undead. The more strength we have when we enter the pyramid the better," He stated sitting back down. He highly doubted that they could just waltz to the entrance freely, yet couldn't risk doing so much fighting. He had noticed how close Kaylani had to get to defend herself from the mummies, and though he knew she could do some damage with the pan, it wasn't a very effective tool to fight them

When they both decided it was time to leave, he put out the fire with the surrounding sand, leaving only the ember left to let anyone know that this place was a safe haven. The fire though, was what made it safe because as soon as they stepped out of the house a pack of Mummies seemed to have arisen around the house. "God damned this curse, it was like it was waiting." He growled. He put his hand on Kaylani's shoulder and cast an agility spell on both of them. Immediately his body felt the feedback of using so much magic, but it was the only thing he could do.

"Fight what you can, leave the rest. We need to make it to the pyramid." He firmly said to her, and then started to make his way to where the pyramid was, cutting down the few mummies he had to get there. With the spell on them, they could speed past before any more mummies were created. Though he knew he would get chewed out for using so much magic on something small.

Author: Kalyani, Posted: Wed Oct 4, 2017 3:40 PM, Post Subject: But Mummy! [P/R][Event]

Angela smirked at Zanar. “Believe me, it’s normally how I tend to meet people. Met my own husband in Iria when an idiot challenged me to a duel. It happens for better or worst.” There was a mischievous glint in the goddess’s eyes.

Kalyani looked at Zanar and tilted her head at him. She had heard him from where he was and shrugged. “Angela is protecting the outpost… Can’t you feel it? The healing powers that were around us are lifted.” She pointed at the area where glints of almost green lightning could be seen flickering against the chaotic energies in the desert. “She is doing everything in her power to keep them out. That means this is really old magic. I heard stories when I was a girl that gods used to be so much stronger in the past. When Verya fell that changed. Verya was the other World Tree and the Voice saw that our gods were possibly too powerful for their own good. Imagine that? Them stronger than they are right now. Makes you wonder just how strong the Voice is.”

Kalyani was strong enough to hold her own but she was getting too dangerously close to them, unlike Zanar. She had to be careful not to be cornered. She wailed on them and even popped some heads off with just a swing of her mighty pan. “Probably not keen to flame.” She looked up at him and smiled. “They have old wraps and dust… Probably highly flammable. Even creatures with no brains know to stay away from weaknesses.”

She sat at the fire and pulled out some of the food they were given. It was fresh enough that Kalyani knew this was the first night’s meal. The rest were things like dried beef and other rations for traveling. The gypsy set about making them some dinner after she lit the fire. “It’s uneasy being in this city… I’ve never seen such undead forces before.”

She offered a bowl to Zanar once it was done and smiled. “Get your strength.”

Author: Aegis, Posted: Tue Oct 3, 2017 6:02 AM, Post Subject: But Mummy! [P/R][Event]

He chuckled a little when she brought out the cast iron skillet. How he had remembered her beating a man half to death that came to her door, it was her signature weapon. "Trust me, that in her hand is like a knight with a sword. Honestly, probably, even more, worse than that if you ask me."

"Trust me I have this feeling that there are other people out there that would kill me if I didn't take care of her, other than Bryony I mean." He rolled his eyes a little as she scurried off, her pride was too much sometimes. "Well, it has been a pleasure meeting you Angela, too bad it was on such an occasion." He gave the goddess and nod and grabbed another pack of supplies and headed out the gates. Throwing up a slight wave as they crossed the threshold.

He had climbed a sand dune as they got near the outer perimeter of the city so that he could get a quick scout before they headed in. It was just as bad as Angela had told them, for what he could see there was nothing but the undead inhabiting the place. He had also noticed signs of a fight going through the city, not knowing if that was Dalanesca's own wrath or other adventurers that wandered in. "This place, the gods want us mortals to handle it? Or is there something else to it…preventing them?" Zanar questioned to himself as he headed back to where Kaylani was.

"Yeah, seems Angela was right. The city is overrun with undead, and they seem the densest near that pyramid structure in the center of the city. We need to be careful." He warned Kaylani before they started to move out again actually making it into the city's most inner walls. They had to fight off some mummies before they got in, thankfully it seemed Vox Noctis handled itself well against these creatures. Its mana cutting ability seemed to cut off the majority of the magic that resurrected the foul creatures.

They made their way through to what seemed like a sturdy building. "We stop here, need to conserve strength and rest when we can." He said to Kaylani. This building had been used by someone once before. The signs were still there and the firepit they used was still warm. "They lit a fire in such a place, wouldn't that be a beckon? Or are these things not to keen of the flame?"

He had so many questions still, even after all that was explained by Angela.

Author: Kalyani, Posted: Sun Oct 1, 2017 2:29 PM, Post Subject: But Mummy! [P/R][Event]

For a moment Kalyani started to laugh. “Just like common street whores?” The two of them traveling together had been fun for the most part. They got along and helped each other out so it wasn’t too bad.

Angela smirked a bit when he said he knew who she was. “Well everyone has at least heard rumors… or dealt with my spawn… I heard my child was shooting her mana cannons out of her airship again. Don’t tell Furtuna I am disappointed in her for not being more direct.” She winked as Kalyani laughed a bit.

“That child is over 500 years old.” Kalyani took off her cloak now that it was much cooler out here in the shadow of the death city.

“Still a child to me,” Angela smirked more. “You would think they would know better. See, the problem with Dal is that her temper has always been bad but it is a lot worse now. I knew her before she was a goddess.” She chuckled. “I feel bad for the creature stealing her property.”

Kalyani nodded. “We got most of the supplies we need now. We can’t take the wagon and Sehr but it is close enough that we can go on foot now.” She was holding her cast iron skillet and Angela tilted her head. “What? It is good weapon.”

Angela shrugged and looked at Zanar. “Take good care of her in there…. She might act all high and mighty but she still is only a girl to me… Also, Bryony might end you if she gets hurt.” Kalyani made a face and hmmphed loud as she grabbed the pack of supplies and started to walk towards the city of death.

Author: Aegis, Posted: Sun Oct 1, 2017 1:17 PM, Post Subject: But Mummy! [P/R][Event]

"I'll be alright, well as well as one can be in a desert." He started shaking off more sand off his overcoat. "The thing I hate the most about the desert is the damned sand. It gets everywhere." He wasn't going to mention the mummies that he had to fight off as they crossed the desert to the outpost. "It'd be better for them, it seems our friends are gathering the further in we get. Rather both be safe."

He could hear the slight fear in her words, something that was rare to come from her, but he also shared her feelings on the matter. The greenlit skies did not help, he had a feeling something far more sinister than he had seen before was in this situation. Yet he was asked along, maybe it had to deal with a rogue mage of sorts. Something he would gladly take care of.

They reached the outpost without any more problems of the undead and Zanar let out a sigh of relief. A breather for him and one he welcomed. He cared not if it would not last long, it was just nice to see a place of reprieve in this mess. As Kaylani went to give Sehr some water he started recollecting some supplies that they had used up and also emptied his boots of sand that had built up.

This place is going to make me hate the ocean even…damned deserts

As they were resupplying another woman appeared and started talking with Kaylani, but he was no fool he knew exactly who this was. She came up, inspected him and introduced herself. "Yes, even someone like me knows who you are Angela. At least there is a haven in this place for those unfortunate to get caught in it."

He listened to the details she gave of the situation, leaning up against the side of the wagon. She also supplied them with even more supplies than what the originally used, probably those to help with the events going on. "Someone is stealing Dalanesca's souls? Seems they don't fear her."

He pushed himself off the side of the carriage and grabbed the sheathed Nox from the front of the wagon. "It's simple, we can't allow this to happen anymore. This is unnatural, and if it continues this world maybe wiped out. Sure there are other's probably fighting in there, or those who just want the riches. I made an oath though, rogue mages who abuse their power will pay. Undead or living."

He gave a slight grin, as this was the first time he had felt a rush of adrenaline like this in a long time. This was the stuff he lived for.

Author: Kalyani, Posted: Sun Oct 1, 2017 9:06 AM, Post Subject: But Mummy! [P/R][Event]

Kalyani had her dark hair up as Sehr pulled them along the desert dunes. “Wagon is made to transverse any terrain even crappy sandy places…. Just like home.” Around her body was a loose cloak that was made to keep the hot desert sun off of her skin. Amber eyes drifted over to Zanar. “Will you be alright? We might have to leave wagon and Sehr at this outpost Angela has…”

They were contacted by the goddess not long ago. Angela had heard about Zanar’s talents through the grapevine or rather his would be talents. In the goddess’s words “He’ll be useful.” So they packed up the wagon and set for the long journey up north to the desert.

When they finally hit the damn place it had been at night and the sky was eerily green and even during the day the sun didn’t really want to shine at all. “Must be the problem she was talking about,” Kalyani spoke scared at first. Zanar was good at defending them from stray mummies that had managed to get near them.

Once they were at the outpost she found a place to put Sehr and the wagon for safe keeping. They spent time getting him water and making sure they got the supplies they would need to go into the city. “Kalyani, I haven’t seen you since you dragged a dying man into my temple.” Angela clicked her tongue a bit and Kalyani smirked.

“You haven’t aged at all since the last time I saw you nearly ten years ago.” It was a compliment from Kalyani to the Goddess. Angela seemed pleased with the words as she came up and inspected Zanar. “My name is Angela… I’m afraid I’m partially responsible for this mess… but my powers are being soaked into this outpost to keep everyone here safe…” Angela went into details about why she had asked them there and even got them the necessary supplies.

“Be careful, I sensed Dalanesca raising all sorts of hell inside the city… Apparently, they’ve been taking souls directly from her… Stealing a god’s property isn’t the best way to keep living.” Angela winked at Zanar. “I have some healing ointments ready for you all. Once you are both ready we can go.”