[@Erode][@Rune_Alchemist]...

Before anyone could act, Aiv roared, lifting the heavy black pillar over his shoulder and smashed it through the air. He stood before the shambling forms that hunted them and acted as a bulwark. Whether his companions would aid or not, it did not matter to him. He sought only the thrill. Whatever he had been in the past, a true warrior's spirit shone through in his new body. The black mass swiftly crashed into one of the twisted forms, sending it into the nearby wall like a flatcake. Though it would tax him, Aiv continued to push through, carrying forth the rest of the fell swing. The cumbersome black pillar went wide like a huge club, parting the wave of smoke momentarily as the weapon took a group of the fanatics into the nearby rumble. Splashes of grime and gooey black substance splashed across him as they lay still in the murky pools. The smoke shuddered for a moment and returned to form, in a slightly unnatural manner, as if pushed by an outside force. Was this part of some plan? Where they plotting something behind this veil? Aiv might have not found anything particularly strange with it, partly due to his breathless state, but perhaps a more [b]magically[/b] perceptive member might. 

Other shapes quickly began to form within the shadows, signalling another wave. Though Aiv, without a doubt, would wish to continue fighting, his weapon lay unmovable in his sore arms. He may have acted such a way, but he wasn't the warrior he once was. His new body posed limitations, even an indomitable will cannot overcome.   

Suddenly, one of the twisted ones lurched from the smoke, a spear and blade aimed right for his chest. 

If someone else managed to stop the attack, it would spare the man from sure pain. The rusted edge definitely looked gnarly enough to leave a nasty effect beyond just the wound. Otherwise, he would have no choice but to take it, strained to the limit as he was already. 

Meanwhile, Isabella was in a similar predicament. 

The second of the two many-limbed hounds, this one being the reanimated bottom half of the twisted ghoul, went undisturbed in its attack onto her. 

Isabella, still winded from her earlier action, used the last burst of her strength to move in a defensive manner to dodge the attack, making sure to have her blade protect her. She managed to get herself out of the way, mostly, but was caught in the shoulder with one of the flailing claws as it soared past her. Many hands meant it could reach unnatural places. The little thing clung to her, reeling the rest of the abominable, snapping jaws towards her pretty little face. To many, this would be one of her only redeeming features, being the avid troublemaker she was. Luckily, with her blade already poised, the redhead was able to redirect most of the creature and spare herself the facial reconstruction. She shoved it away with the flat end, sending it the opposite direction. But it left a nasty gash where she tore its grip. The way it collided with her mid-jump caused her body to swing awkwardly too, subsequently spiraling her into a nearby murky pool. Poor thing. But being in this pitiful, drenched state was better than taking a bite from the little chomper, that much can be certain.

However, it was far from being done. She only managed to avoid the problem, not deal with it. The creature writhed, swinging its many bony arms similar to how a spider acted when turned upside down. Eventually, it flipped over. It snapped its jaws again, readying for another attack. 

It seemed bent on her as a target, but anyone can feel free to join this little 'duel'.

Isabella herself was only dealt a relative scratch, and so was still able to act normally. But the festering in her shoulder would prove quite concerning. Best not let that happen again. If there was a lesson to be learned from all this, ignoring these things would not be an option without consequence, especially one so fast. And with their draining strength, it was only a matter of time where even the most cautious action wouldn't prevent sure harm. 

...

[@Lasrever]...
[hider= Surprise for Dwyn]
Dwyn would wander into the dark hallway in the East, persuaded by her own logic, leaving the battle with the monsters to her comrades behind her. Whether someone notice or not, or are going to stop her, that is still left unanswered. 

Despite her calm demeanor, the girl was suffering deep inside. And soon, she was made to suffer more. In truth, this was not the first time she had seen the effects of the 'Blight', as she would come to realize. Dwyn would begin to remember bits and pieces as she walked down this shameful path, one guided by her twisted reasoning and self-assurance. Terrible things, indeed. This was not the first time she failed herself and her friends, not the first time she could've done something, but chose not to. What kind of guilt did she have buried deep inside? Whether she allowed it or not, the memories poured forth into her mind as she pushed further down the dark pathway. Her warped halberd grew heavier and heavier until it writhed and jumped out of her arms, the large blade-head morphing into a mouth that laughed at her. Or was that her own imagination? 

Consumed in her own twisted thoughts, Dwyn had unknowingly plunged deep into the darkness in search for something, anything, maybe in hopes for an answer. The faint light was far behind her now, like a star far away. She was unable to see anything anymore, even herself. From what it felt, the soft current of wind, she was no longer cramped in the narrow hallway anymore. But where was she exactly? 

Suddenly, a voice now spoke to her, far from above. A small light blinked on, revealing a small huddled hooded figure at the top of some ramparts. He was holding a lantern the size of himself. Was it because the object was large, or that he was small? It was unclear at this distance. 

"You're not one of them, are ye? Ha, of course not. You're like me... sane, far too sane. Sane enough to run." the timid voice chuckled eerily, but a loud crash in the main chamber caused something deep below to rumble again. This made him growl. 

"Ah, Damn. Dammit! You've lot gone and done it now! I was waiting for that patrol to pass by so I can move on to the next spot. Weeks I've been sittin' up here, and just like that, all my time's been wasted! Now the whole place is sprung to life! Who knows how many of those damn priests and their hunting dogs are running about..." the voice spat, nearly tossing the lantern in rage, "Augh, so many set-backs! Whatever, they'll never find me up here... Even if they do think to look up here, I'm too crafty for them. I'll keep hiding until I'm safe, what's another week or two... haha. It'll be worth it, in the end." the voice told itself, laughing again as he returned to a more stable mood. 

Turning back to Dwyn, "Hm. Speaking of which, what are you doin' here? Only the desperate dare travel all the way out here, to the 'Corner of the World'. Bah, what am I asking? There's only one thing of value here. The soul of a 'God'. Lemme guess, you're one of those 'heroes' sent here to attain power that would save your dilapidated kingdom from ruin? No, a hero wouldn't run... Or did you wish to bring a loved one back to life? I heard Gods can do that. Well, it doesn't matter now, does it?" 

The hooded figure seemed to be deliberating something.

"Hm. How 'bout this? I came here lookin' for treasure, buried deep at the bottom of this dusty old temple. See, I'm a collector of sorts. Gets me by in these dark days. Not interested in all this 'ascension' nonsense that's been going about. Whatever you seek, it must be there too. How about we help each other out? I'm sure you ran because you didn't fancy being turned into a sacrifice too..." he chuckles, "Poor souls, happened right before my eyes..."[/hider]

...