[color=gray] [center] [img]https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmRqxZPSMeXp7GWhbxjUoe2n8F7THtuST7VmgBjh1UB53P/c58cf3df769bbefc9b1d338aa3e6f28a.jpg[/img] [h1][color=white][b][u]The Black Knight Emerges[/u][/b][/color] [color=white][b]Tallia Seraph[/b][/color][/h1] [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMNv-knZHQA][Mood Music][/url] ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ [/center] Tallia stood next to the other huntsman left to defend the church. The other two were still committed to clearing the rubble to get inside and reach the princess. She held her sword to her side, both hands gripping the hilt tight as her eyes watched the silhouettes in the fog. [color=white][b]"Be ready. They'll come again any moment now..."[/b][/color] The other huntsman nodded, raising his shield up higher. Tallia glanced sidelong at him, [color=white][b]"Be strong. You fight for Tera's life at this moment, and by extension, the life of your king's. Victory here means the survival of our kingdom."[/b][/color] The huntsman exhaled and let out an uneasy chuckle, [color=white][i]"No pressure."[/i][/color] Tallia grinned, [color=white][b]"None whatsoever."[/b][/color] The two of them laughed quietly in unison as they waited for the next wave. Every time the undead emerged from the fog, they were more and more organized and capable. The dark magic animating them was powerful, and that genuinely worried Tallia. How long would they be able to hold out? How long before the undead started using tactics and fought as a greater whole? Tallia didn't want to say it, but she knew at the rate things were going, they were going to die that day. If only they could find the necromancer and kill it. Then they would have a chance. The witch would have to be somewhere in the fog. Necromancy had a relatively short range after all. [color=white][i]"There,"[/i][/color] The other huntsman said as he pointed his finger, [color=white][i]"I see something headed straight for us... What the hell? Is that armor?"[/i][/color] Tallia turned her head and saw exactly what the huntsman was seeing. A knight in full plate armor moving slowly but purposefully toward them. Undead shambled slowly behind the knight, which helped to see just how coordinated this knight was in comparison. It wasn't a walking corpse. It was something more. Tallia turned to the two other huntsmen clearing the rubble, [color=white][b]"Take up your weapons! We're going to need them!"[/b][/color] The huntsmen quickly stopped what they were doing. They grabbed their weapons, one wielding a spear, and the other wielding a great sword. The spear wielding huntsman formed up next to Tallia, [color=white][i]"It's the necromancer! If we kill him now, we've break the horde!"[/i][/color] Tallia would have appreciated such bravery if the princess wasn't there. Hell, she might well have joined them as the huntsmen let out a warcry and broke formation to charge. But now wasn't the time for heroics. [color=white][b]"Hold fast!"[/b][/color] They didn't listen. The huntsmen were so desperate to finish this fight and survive, that they didn't stop for one moment to consider Tera's well being. That was what set Tallia apart from the other huntsmen, aside from Father Wyn. These huntsmen were all summoned by Tera and paid to bring her to this infamous, haunted land. Their loyalty was in the promise of gold and riches when the task was complete. While all skilled in their own right, the huntsmen all had their own irregular strategies, and it didn't mesh well. [center][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDOfsmBy0nI][Mood Music & Tallia's Words][/url][/center] Things became slow for Tallia as she watched the three hunters charge straight at the knight. She felt something inside of her. An instinct. Tallia simply knew that, in the end, she'd be the only one left to slow the black knight down in a just a few moments. Tallia placed her sword in front of her, and began to recite the warrior's creed of her homeland. Revealing herself to the other huntsmen now was the only way anybody would survive. The only Tera, her sacred charge, would live on. [center][color=white][b]"In darkness, I shall be light."[/b][/color][/center] Upon uttering those words, a sapphire inlaid in the hilt of her sword began to glow. The fog surrounding Tallia began to swirl lightly. The other huntsmen were too busy running at the knight to notice what was happening. She preferred it that way, the others didn't need the distraction of witchcraft among their ranks. The first hunter reached striking distance with his spear. He lunged forward. The tip of the spear simply passed through the gut of the knight. It's body rippled and swirled as though smoke has just been disturbed. When the hunter pulled his spear back with no resistance, he saw no blood on the end of it. [center][color=white][b]"In times of doubt, I shall keep faith."[/b][/color][/center] Tallia watched the hunters assault the knight while she continued her warrior's creed. The sapphire glowed bright, and began to emanate magical energy. The energy started wrapping itself around the blade. The fog twirled more around her, and her hair began to lift and flit about. Tallia eyes started taking on the same sapphire glow. The black knight reached forth and grabbed the hunter's spear, clenching his fist and splintering the wooden shaft into pieces. It took the hold of the spearhead and thrust it back at the huntsman like a dagger. The spearhead pierced the man's chest and came out his back. Ethereal energy started pouring from the spearhead, latching onto the hunter's body as the knight pulled away, ripping the huntsman's soul from his body. The soul melded with the knight's misty form until it ceased to be. The next hunter saw that and let out a terrified shriek. But when the fight or flight instinct kicked in, his body went through the motions, and chose to fight. He hefted his great sword in the air and went for a mighty swing. [center][color=white][b]"In throes of rage, I shall hone my craft."[/b][/color] [i][color=steelblue]"... my craft..."[/color][/i][/center] Just like the spear, the great sword passed through the body of the knight, separating the upper and lower halves of the misty knight, but not stopping its approach at all. The huntsman, having expected the strike to stop his momentum, staggered as the weight of the great sword carried him forward. The knight didn't even bother raising its weapon to kill the man. When the huntsman passed through its body, he simply slumped into the mud as his soul was pulled by ethereal tendrils into the back of the knight. The soul let out distanct, echoing screams as it was absorbed into the unholy being. The hunter's limp body then began to shift and move, raising to its feet and joining the undead horde behind the knight. During all of this, Tallia continued reciting her creed. The makeup on her face began to melt away, revealing witch tattoos on her forehead and cheeks. The witchmarks started glowing to match her eyes and blade. [center][color=steelblue][i]"In vengeance..."[/i][/color] [color=white][b]"In vengeance, I shall have no mercy."[/b][/color] [color=steelblue][i]"... no mercy..."[/i][/color][/center] The knight's icy gaze fell directly on Tallia as she spoke, ignoring the third huntsman as he swung his blade. That momentary distraction allowed for the sword to strike the knight's ethereal form, and actually catch on its body. The knight looked down, seeing the silver blade embedded in its armor. The huntsman tried pulling his sword free of the knight's armor, but the armor seemingly reformed itself around the blade. The knight clenched a plated fist and uppercutted the hunter, taking the wind of out of his chest and sending him flying back a few feet. He lay on his back, struggling to get some air in his lungs. Before he could, the knight stepped ever closer, and dropped its heavy plate boot down on his chest. He wheezed as his ribs all cracked and collapsed. The knight didn't break pace, it's foot tearing the soul from the crushed huntsman's body. There was nothing standing in the way between the knight and Tallia now. [center][color=steelblue][i]"In the midst of battle,"[/i][/color] [color=white][b]"In the midst of battle,"[/b][/color][/center] A ghostly voice spoke alongside Tallia's. It wasn't her own. [center][color=steelblue][i]"I shall have no fear."[/i][/color] [color=white][b]"I shall have no fear."[/b][/color][/center] The knight stopped before Tallia, as if waiting for her to finish reciting her creed. Magical energy was whipping around Tallia now. The witch's sword glowed bright blue, matching that of the black knight's own weapon. Tallia kept her gaze locked on the knight, and it returned the cold glare. She moved her blade into a guard, then heard a voice speak. [color=paleturquoise][b]"Finish those words, Arcadians. I am in a hurry."[/b][/color] The black knight raised its large blade into a similar guard. Then both Tallia and the ghostly voice spoke in unison. [center][color=lightsteelblue][b]"In the face of Death, I shall have no remorse."[/b][/color][/center] [color=paleturquoise][b]"I would expect nothing less."[/b][/color] the sinister voice said and began to laugh as Tallia and the knight both swung their blades. The clash of magically imbued steel against magically imbued steel let out a high pitched ring. Surrounding fog whipped away from the impact, and the nearest undead that were left outside of the gray simply tumbled lifelessly into the mud. [center] ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ [h1][color=gold][b]Tera Valenci[/b][/color][/h1] [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qL3osHj-Myc][Mood Music][/url] ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ [Interaction with [@Celsius] and [@Legion02]] [/center] [color=white][b]“Princess you need to come with us or you’ll die too. We need to go, now!”[/b][/color] Tera nodded and watched as both John and Sarah took the lead and began stepping into the hidden passageway. When the sound of some sort of clash rang out through the church, Tera and her two bodyguards turned to the source of the noise beyond the rubble. Dale spoke, [color=white][i]"What in the world was that?"[/i][/color] Father Wyn furrowed his brows and hurried both Dale and Tera down into the tunnel. [color=white][i]"Oh, Tallia..."[/i][/color] he mumbled quietly before addressing Dale's question, [color=white][i]"That is the sound of a last resort. Come quickly."[/i][/color] Tera tried looking past Father Wyn as she was ushered into the dark corridor, [color=gold][b]"What about Tallia and the others?"[/b][/color] The priest didn't slow down, [color=white][i]"I'm sure we'll see Tallia at the end of all this, princess. For now, focus on the path ahead."[/i][/color] No words were exchanged after Father Wyn told them to remain wary. Beyond the group's torchlight was pitch darkness. The tunnel walls were close together, so the group could only proceed in single file. As they went deeper into the tunnel, the air got cold and damp. A stale scent was becoming more and more prominent as they descended further into the darkness. Every movement they made echoed off of the stone walls. Further into the tunnel, far beyond the sight of any one of them, water droplets could be heard landing in pools. More importantly, the faint sound of air flowing through the corridors told them that there was an exit, and that it was open. Dale whispered ahead, loud enough for both John and Sarah could hear, [color=white][i]"If we follow the airflow, we'll find our way out. Feel for the air current."[/i][/color] Tera clutched her cloak and wrapped herself tightly as she moved through the tunnel. She felt Father Wyn's calm hand land on her shoulder, and guide her reassuringly. She was glad that Father Wyn had joined on this expedition. His patience with her was near legendary, and Tera practically considered Father Wyn as an uncle. But the thought of having him here and not Tallia made her stomach go bottomless. Despite being aloof, Tera could hardly remember a moment when Tallia wasn't there to watch over her. It just felt wrong to not have her guardian by her side. Once again, there were no words passing around. Everybody was too focused on listening and feeling for the airflow. Eventually, the corridor widened into far larger network of tunnels. Father Wyn had seen them plenty of times before. [color=white][i]"A catacomb. Strange that a small town such a Goldencrest would have one of such size, but... I suppose this region is known for its history."[/i][/color] his tone of voice wasn't laced with as much reverence. The walls had shelves and insets in the masonry filled with skeletal remains and other random bones. The bones all seemed weathered and from a previous era. Thick layers of dust blanketed most of the remains and piled in corners. [color=white][i]"I imagine we are the first people in a long time to set foot in these tunnels."[/i][/color] Father Wyn said. Dale stepped forward and shook his head. He pointed at the floor, picking out tracks in the dusts. They were pin pricks, not resembling the feet of any person or animal he had seen. [color=white][i]"First people, sure. But it would seem this catacomb has become something else's home now."[/i][/color] The airflow in the tunnels left streaks in the dust on the floor, making for a clear indication which direction they needed to travel. The pin prick tracks moved in the same direction. [color=gold][b]"A giant spider perh-"[/b][/color] [color=white][i]"DON'T jinx us."[/i][/color] Dale interjected. He wasn't a fan of spiders. They pressed on. Tera had drawn her short sword at some point, she wasn't entirely sure when she did. Father Wyn kept his heavy mace at the ready. And Dale already had one of his arrows knocked and set ablaze from a torch. No spider was going to get the best of him. The party continued following the tracks and the airflow through the tunnel. As they did, they could notice the skeletal remains becoming less and less complete, as though certain bones were missing or were plucked away from the long dead bodies. Those that remained seemed almost pristine, like they were meticulously cleaned or polished. Eventually, even the dust seemed to become more and more scarce. Then there was the sound of rattling ahead. Then the feeble sniffling of a man. The party stopped just at the entrance to a larger antechamber. The torchlight couldn't even fill the entire room. The whimpering man cried, his voice coarse and aged. [color=white][i]"Who's there? I... I see light! I haven't seen light in... years? No... I've been counting... That's all I can do is count down here..."[/i][/color] The man started to count upward quietly, the echo in the chamber allowing the group to him in clarity. If only they could see him. [color=white][i]"One two three four- four! Four centuries! The light! Ohhh it's so... B- b- beautiful!"[/i][/color] The rattling sound could be heard again, but not from the same direction as the man's voice. Dale looked around frantically, searching for anything. The rattling sound drew closer. As it did, it became clear that the hollow sound was bones making contact with the stone floor and walls. There was a pattern in it, like something was crawling or walking. [i]Pat. Tick. Klok. Pat. Klok. Tick.[/i] Then more sounds began to echo across the stone walls. Something was [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpEQWefFa2w]calling[/url]. Then the mysterious man started to sniffle again. [color=white][i]"It's coming back... Oh- oh no... Oh it's coming back! You all need to run! It'll capture you too! It'll... It'll feed you and keep you alive forever until you're nothing! R- run away from here! Far away!"[/i][/color] Then the man began to scream loudly, [color=white][i]"I've got nothing left! N- nothing! Don't take anything else! P- please!"[/i][/color] In frustration, Dale tossed his torch into the antechamber, revealing a pit dug into the ground and walled with pristine ribcages. Tucked inside each ribcage was a skull that rattled every so often. The screaming man could be seen now, hanging from sharp spears made out of bones in the roof. His whole body was limp, supported only by the long femur spears. He looked amorphous almost, like he had no skeleton to hold the shape of his arms or legs. The only things left that had any sort of rigidity in his body was his head and his torso. Those eerie calls became louder, as did the sounds of the creature's crawling. [i]Pat. Tick. Klok. Pat. Klok. Tick.[/i] One final call announced its arrival from deep within the bone pit. A long arm made of human femurs reached out first, then a second, and then a third. It let out another echoing ticking noise as it pulled itself from the bone pit. It didn't resemble any sort of human despite having the same bones. It didn't resemble... anything whatsoever. The bony creature crawled out from the pit entirely, and lets out another low warble. At its 'head', was a jumbled up mess of humans and animal skulls. It looked around, then spotted the man hanging from the bone spears. With one of its long femur arms, it reached up toward the man. He screamed and the party, [color=white][i]"Run! I'm doomed! But I can at least save you from the Bone Taker!"[/i][/color] Just as he said that, the clawed fingers of the creature made contact with the chest of the man. He let out a piercing cry as those fingers seemingly moved through his skin. His whole body began to shift and break as the creature moved its hand through his body. Dale watched in pure horror as the man remained completely alive and conscious during the ordeal. The bone taker began withdrawing its arm. In its clawed hand was the man's rib cage, moving through his flesh like it was never there to begin with. His screams never stopped as he watched the Bone Taker add his own rib cage to its body. When the creature found a sufficient enough place for it, it simply attached without any issue. The individual ribs them broke up, and began to unnaturally move as extra limbs. Dale cried out in horror and disgust, [color=white][i]"D- demon! It's a demon! Kill it!"[/i][/color] With the party's silence now broken, the Bone Taker turned its many faced head to them. It let out a growl-like warble and stood straight backed on four bony, stilt like legs. It was three men tall. Out of all of the skull's on its 'head'. Only the eye sockets of one of the skulls were filled with a dark red glow. The skulls began to shift and roll all over its body and into different locations. Then it let out a loud, ear piercing roar. [/color]