[@Zombehs][@Jerkchicken][@ERode]...

Another flash of fire filled the whole chamber as the entire cast moved at once. Many tried to pull out difficult maneuvers all at once without a real focus. This might've lead to failure on many fronts, but with all their combined efforts, the brutal combat came to a resounding climax. 

The Unknown was among the first to act, though only by a split second, having cast out a nearby rock at the gun ghoul and picking up a nearby sword from the rubble to deal with the other. The piece of debris was merely an annoyance as it smashed into pieces against its thick metal-capped skull. The round exploded at Aiv like a firework, who tried to time a dodge with the bullet. The shot seemed like it was off-center, and perhaps such a thing might've worked if it was but a single round. However, a splatter of molten metal escaped the barrel in that direction. With his speed, he managed to evade most of the shards. But when he tried to follow forwards, it seemed he underestimated the distance he could separate from the black weapon that was an extension of his existence. He made it perhaps 3/4th of the way in the short instant, but was yanked unceremoniously a few yards from his target, much like an animal on a leash. He was left to either drag the black pillar behind him or turn back for it to complete the action. Either way, he was delayed. And if it was not for the efforts of his companions, the remainders of the bullet might've struck true in this fumbled action. 

Instead, the round blasted past him and exploded off the rusted staircase at the center of the mirrored atrium, blowing off bits of metal as the gunner was stuck by Ihosha who came from the flank, followed by Unknown with his pilfered weapon. 

It snarled and swung their other arm with a dagger embedded in their knuckle at the interrupters. But it was only a paltry effort. Now with Aiv coming to the aid, however way he managed to pick himself back up, it was only a matter of time before the sole thing was finished by the trio. 

[@Eklispe]...

Nearby, the last Twisted being entered conflict with Solomon. He managed to deflect the initial swipe of the claws with a heaving swing of his monstrous bow-blade. The black wolf head seemed to snarl in unison to the fury of its master, snapping the rusted nestled bladed-claws in half. Nonetheless, as Solomon continued the swing for his severing strike, it stabbed underneath the arcing weapon. Its free hand aim towards his torso in an serrated uppercut. It seemed to already understand the lost battle, and was simply looking to deal a gruesome blow to Solomon for overreaching. There was a glimmer of hope that the retaliation might be hindered when silvered staff from Ihosha soared overhead and knocked it over the head. But the ancient soldier seemed undeterred by the mild effort, continuing regardless and Solomon would feel a wormy hand dig into his skin and into his abdomen. 

The creature gurgled one last remark. "Sinners... wearing sheep skin..."

Before -- [i]Slice![/i] 

The twisted head rolled off into the water, the rotten corpse making a following in hollow splash alongside it. For a moment the large mold-grass boils on its back shuddered. However, they quickly slowed to a halt, presumably the left-over compulsions in their death. 

...

With the last drop of blood, nothing else stirred in the darkened chamber except for the heaving breaths of the victors. Though some of them paid a heavy price for their victory. It would take only a few short moments to recover their stamina, but the wounds were an entirely different matter. Isabella would find that her infection seemed to halt, lingering there underneath her skin menacingly and Aiv would feel the weight of the shrapnel trapped in his side. It might have stopped the blood from flowing free. But it did not cease the pain. Solomon was the newest addition to this, having been gored by his enemy in the final moments. Similarly to Isabella, if he inspected the thing in the dim light, he would see an umbra that dyed his skin and blood. 

Regardless, they were left with a few options now. Though with the stirring from the Western hallway, along with the emergence of a few familiar glimmering pale lights, perhaps that option was made null now too.

There was also the question of where Dwyn had gone off to. Suddenly, a grisly scream from the Eastern hall filled their ears.
[@Lasrever]...
[hider=More Surprises for Dwyn]When Dwyn's halberd struck down on the living black heart, the corpse-mound sprung to life for a moment and let out a deathly wail that shook the very walls. It was like a demon had awoken. 

"Ah... now you've done it..." the little man shuddered, letting out a wail of his own. He gripped his head and smacked his skull, as though trying to get something out. "Pain... it hurts... the voices... it hurts..." 

The bloody thing writhed in those terrible seconds, lashing and trashing on the ground in sheer agony. It was as though all of the torture it ever suffered in the past coalescence into one painful rapture. The fleshy arms and legs kicked and paddled furiously, knocked around clay jars containing gruesome specimens and scattering torn scriptures all across the bloody corner. It struggling against its twin bindings, splattering guts and gore and casting up dust and ashe until it eventually settled down and finally fell back to peace once more.

Finally shaking himself free of the painful seizure, the hooded man leaned over the ledge and rattled the rope angrily. "Had enough fooling around with the occult yet? Or shall we take a visit to more of these ritual sites so you can sate your morbid curiosity?"

At the same time, in Dwyn's mind she could hear someone cursing her name, and yet another thanking her for this deed. And in the silence that followed, she could hear familiar voices and more explosions coming from the main chamber. Was it not finished after all?
[/hider] 
In that same shocking turn, a combined chorus of moans resounded in call to the scream and fire detonated again as blazing rounds exploded into the chamber, blasting off more of the ancient stairway at the center. Whatever lay at the top of them existed only in speculation now that the inhabitants of the temple closed in on the party. Not only did they pose a hazard themselves, but the ensuing blasts of fire gradually took apart the frail spiral making such a flight ever more treacherous. Though one can't help but think of what secrets were so valuable to be kept hidden up there. Then, as though to add to all the chaos, Ezain, who had missing this whole time emerged from the Southern chamber, bloody and barely alive. He was clearly missing a few parts, horn chipped and all. 

His eyes were cold and distant. But incredibly determined. 

"This way was no good either... I only managed to escape..." the horned man coughed, spilling black blood from his mouth as pale essence-like energy poured from his missing arm, "I cannot continue... I was foolish... This journey cannot be made on the strength of one alone. I learned this too late..." he then pointed to the last option, down the dark-lit Eastern passage, "Now go, finish our task! With whatever strength I have left, I will buy you time..."

He then stepped to the center and urged them on, snarling. "GO! NOW!"

...