[center][h2]The Journey Begins[/h2][/center]

[center][h3]~ Liven ~[/h3][/center]

[center][i]Interacted with:[/i] [@Rune_Alchemist][/center]

[quote=Elisette]“Find anything from the maid? I talked with a few of the locals...apparently the witch we’re looking for was a kid that isn’t even human.”[/quote]

"[color=skyblue]Nothing much on my end, either.[/color]" Nick sighed, a bit ashamed. "[color=skyblue]Just that there's a reason for covering her eyes. Although, I think it's obvious that she's more than meets the eye. Err, no pun or joke intended.[/color]" So the witch would be a child in appearance? But they were also not human... how? Will the witch have obvious inhuman features or will they be human-looking? Like Augusta, his Elven acquaintance.

But enough of that, it's time to meet with Viorel. Hopefully not for the last time.

[quote=Viorel]“Hm? A light? Oh, certainly. Here we go. I don’t think the torch will last you long out there, especially if it gets windy. I’d keep the lantern lit, too. And...if you don’t mind me asking, how do you plan on getting past the Undead?”[/quote]

[quote=Elisette]“Good question. If it were just me I could just mow them down, no problem. But this cute guy here’s tagging along and I’d rather he not be zombie food.”[/quote]

Nick agreed that it was a good question. Maybe it would have been better to have just stayed behind, but he had already made his decision. He looked to his lit torch as he knew what he needed to do to defend himself. The question was: Could he actually do it? "[color=skyblue]Thanks, Viorel. Actually, I have--[/color]"

But before he could finish, Viorel had already gone to Cynthia who gave him an item which he then brought back to the duo.

[quote=Viorel]“Here, just a small protective charm. Should help you remain undetectable to most undead.”[/quote]

It was a cross, plated in silver. It was like a rosary, an Earthly one, except there was skull on one arm and a rose-like shape on the other. Another similarity, Nick noted. The charm even made its wearer undetectable to the unholy creatures outside, like a stereotypical holy item. Nick stared at the cross, ruminating at the coincidences and missing Viorel and Elisette's exchange before he snapped back to reality. Really, this was not the time. He had a job to do.

[quote=Viorel]“You should get going, I doubt you want to be out for long at night.”[/quote]

[quote=Elisette]“Well, alright then. How do you wanna do this, Nick?”[/quote]

Nick thought for a moment. What was the best way to take advantage of Viorel's little gift? "[color=skyblue]Hmm, I'd say we can do a little divide and conquer.[/color]" He replied to Elisette with a suggestion. "[color=skyblue]You can take on mobs of the zeds which means you can draw their attention the most. You can distract most of them while I sneak behind and look for the witch.[/color]" There's just one problem with that plan. "[color=skyblue]Of course, once I do find the witch, I'll have to throw down with her... which might likely end poorly for me.[/color]" Unless he can stop the witch without violence.

"[color=skyblue]Or we can reverse roles. I'll be zombie bait while you use the charm to look for the witch undisturbed.[/color]" Nick offered. "[color=skyblue]I think I've got a way to defend myself from zombies, so long as their flammable. But... please be fast if we're going with this.[/color]"