Xander continued to chuckle lightly to himself as Calon flopped to the ground, his steel armour clanging loudly against the cave floor. Looking to his left, he frowned underneath his helmet upon seeing Calon's injured party members. Some looked at both him and the Abyss Watcher in fear, no doubt because of the fact that they had just knocked out their leader, while the others looked like they were in too much pain to care. Then there was Cithrel. She let out a sigh as she finished healing the more serious wounds her party had gained, turning to face both Xander and the Abyss Watcher.

"Xander." She greeted, a tired look on her face.

"Cithrel." He greeted in turn, taking off his helmet as it was the respectful thing to do.

Cithrel was probably the most reasonable of Calon's party, and openly disagreed with Calon's way of interaction with other factions. However aggressive Calon was though, it was never enough to sway Cithrel from the Church. And it wasn't like he could blame her, considering that they had raised her from childhood. Yet, despite how loyal she was to the Church, she and Xander had managed to stay on friendly terms throughout all their encounters.

She silently approached the unconscious body of Calon, eyeing the Abyss Watcher with a strange smile on her face. "Haven't seen one of you guys in a while. " She said to him, kneeling down next to Calon as she used her magic to stop the bleeding that was originating from his nose. "Who would have thought you'd arrive here of all places."

Xander frowned, and looked at the Abyss Watcher. Did she know who he was? If so it would be rather beneficial to ask what she knew about him. And if she knew, then there was a chance that the Church knew. Of course lackeys such as Calon wouldn't be informed about this information if it wasn't necessary, or if they had something to hide. He opened his mouth to ask these vital questions required to discover the Abyss Watcher's true identity when Cithrel spoke first.

"So, how was Farron doing when you left? Judging from your clothes I'd say not so well." She said, the Abyss Watcher's eyes widening in response. He quickly escaped from this shock however, and instead pointed to his mouth. Realising what he was trying to say, Xander made to explain that he was [Mute] when Cithrel once again spoke up.

"Ah, I figured as much." She said, standing up as she reached into her dirtied white robes, pulling out a small bag. She opened it and reached in, pulling out a piece of parchment and a quill. She offered them up to the Abyss Watcher, "Here, usually I use them to prepare [Scrolls] for battle, but considering that I haven't used them in a while, you can just use it to communicate."

The Abyss Watcher grabbed the papers and quill in one hand. Cithrel frowned for a fraction of a second before sighing, "Of course I doubt you're gonna use them now as you'd have to put down your sword. And frankly that would be stupid in this bastard of a [Dungeon]." She pointed to the quill, "That quill is enchanted so that it won't need to be refreshed with ink every five seconds, so there is no need to carry around a barrel of ink wherever you go."

She glanced back to her party who were beginning to the bodies strewn around, no doubt to take them back home for a proper burial. "I'm gonna need to go, but before I do that..." She beckoned for the Abyss Watcher lower himself down leaning in close. She whispered something that Xander couldn't hear, the Abyss Watcher staying still for a moment before nodding soon after.

Seemingly satisfied, she turned around, walking towards her party as she looked over her shoulder, gaze now focused on Xander. "By the way, you'll probably want to get the rest of your party down here if you want to get the scepter." She said before beginning to instruct her party to gather close, and for one of them to get Calon.

Xander's eyes widened. He had forgotten about his party that was waiting up at the top floor. Quickly, he walked over to the hole that he had dropped out of, looking up into it's cavernous depths he held up both of his armoured hands to his mouth.

"[Resounding Call]" He said, immediately feeling the effects, feeling like he had the greatest voice in the world.

"It's safe to come down now!" He yelled, waiting a few seconds as he heard the words echo throughout the [Dungeon].

The Abyss Watcher perked up walking over to Xander, putting the parchment and quill into his satchel. He sheathed his dagger, and, in a move that surprised Xander, placed his sword carefully on the ground before looking up into the hole. Xander was indeed very confused by his sudden release of his blade when he heard it. Screaming.

Without warning Alissa dropped from the hole, emerging from the darkness. And falling right into the Abyss Watcher's outstretched arms. Groaning, she looked upwards in a daze, narrowing her eyes at the Abys Watcher who simply stared silently at her. Her face suddenly resembled that of a beetroot, as she hurriedly pushed off of him, landing onto the stone floor.

Standing up she glared at the Abyss Watcher angrily, her face still red. Grumbling some rather vulgar curses, she pulled a blue gem of sorts from her cloak, tapping it twice. In a brilliant blue flash, Skyla appeared to Alissa's side, waving away the blue sparkles that had resulted from the flash.

Everyone's attention was then brought to an even brighter blue flash, the last visible thing that could be seen there being the remnants of Calon's party standing in the middle of a blue glyph that was originating from the ground. Cithrel held a staff up high with one hand, the blue gem glowing with the same intensity as the glyph, while waving at the others with the other hand.

Skyla raised an eyebrow as she observed the massacre surrounding them, a large amount of earthworm and human blood present all around the cavern. "You guys have been busy." She said, watching as the Abyss Watcher picked his sword back up, placing it back onto it's signature place on his shoulder.

"The Abyss Watcher here did all the work." Xander admitted, gesturing towards the warrior in question, who was now looking around the cavern, "I just got here as he was finishing up. Turns out Calon thought he was some holy warrior."

Skyla chuckled lightly, "I imagine that must have gone well."

A massive grin came onto Xander's face, "Well, he got knocked out by our friend here, so it worked out perfectly."

Skyla pouted, "Celest damn it, now I wish I came down to see that."

The whole group laughed out loud, barring the still silent Abyss Watcher, who decided to walk up to them in that moment, pointing to a hole that lead out of the cavern. Pulling themselves out of their mirth, they nodded beginning to move towards the small passageway.

"Actually, I feel like we went down pretty far. What level are we on?" Xander, remembering the large fall that he had experienced when he had followed the Abyss Watcher.

Skyla placed a finger on her chin in thought, humming to herself as she did so, "I don't actually know, but it would definitely help us while we're looking for the scepter."

Xander nodded in agreement and spoke,

"[Dungeon Screen]"

Categories: Information: Name The Dead Labyrinth Monster Types Undead, Natural, Mountainous Maximum Floors Unavailable Current Floor 11

"...Well I'll be damned, we're on the 11th floor already."

The Abyss Watcher scanned the walls surrounding them, watching for any slight shifts or tremors in the rock. He didn't want to be caught off guard again, especially considering that those earthworms could tunnel through the different floors. From what he had learned via the idle chatter of his party, it was impressive in of itself that Calon's party had made it this far.

Of course, they still had to turn back and most certainly would have died if not for his own intervention. Now though, he got the feeling that Calon did not like Xander's party, or the Abyss Watcher at all, despite his saving of their lives. Looking behind him, he found only the deep blackness that swallowed up the light emitted by Skyla. This was not a very tactical decision on his party's part, considering that anything could just take out Skyla and cut off their vision.

This just made both the Abyss Watcher's, and Xander's job that much harder, as they would have to focus more protection on Skyla then Alissa, making her vulnerable to attack. He would have to inform them of this tactical blunder when they made it back. His gaze shifted to the left, a small pebble bouncing over towards him. He stopped, his party apparently not hearing it the very slight clattering it made and continuing on without him, blissfully unaware that he had halted his advance.

Frowning he walked in the direction that the pebble had come from, his fainter steps catching the attention of Alissa, who turned back to look at him.

"What do you think you're doing?" She asked, causing both Skyla and Xander to stop and look as well.

He ignored them for the moment, crouching down as he activated [Enhanced Hearing]. There. Very, very small breaths could be heard, and despite how faint they sounded, it was close by. Taking a step forward, he halted as the breaths increased in intensity. He took another. They were no longer as faint, and in fact seemed to be increasing as he came closer, almost as though someone was hyperventilating.

He held up a hand, signaling for the others, who had begun to approach to stop. They obliged, albeit a bit confused. He unsheathed his dagger and held it up, still listening to the small breaths that increased even more as his unsheathing dagger rang out.

[Flame Blade]

A bright orange flame appeared at the hilt of the dagger, working it's way all the way up until it fully enshrouded the blade. His surroundings were engulfed in bright orange light, allowing him to get a clear look at where the pebble had come from. A small passage lay there, hidden by the wall when they passed as it went back the way that they had come from. From the looks of it the pebble had come from around it's corner.

He made to take a step forward but the breathing increased a thousand-fold, causing him to take a step back. Whatever this thing was, it was scared. He frowned as he glanced at his party who were still extremely confused, except for Alissa, as she narrowed her eyes at the previously hidden passage, hearing the breathing as well.

He perked up as he had an idea. Grabbing the pebble he looked at the corner, aiming it carefully. He lightly chucked it in front of the passage, him and his party not having a good enough angle to look into it. The breathing stopped. A few more seconds of silence passed when a small hand reached around the corner.

It's flesh was a dark grey, the skin falling off in random places all over the hand. It's nails were a sickly yellow, and jagged and broken as if someone had been chewing them for their whole life and never stopped. Slowly they pulled out the full body. Skyla gasped, Xander readied his sword, and Alissa drew her bow.

The skin on his small face was faring little better then that on his hand, or on the rest of his body, pieces of flesh either appearing to be in the process of falling apart or missing entirely. His eyes were a dark grey, matching the colour of his shortly cut hair that for some reason remained in a much better condition then the rest of his body. In terms of clothes he had a ragged tunic and pants, the both covered in dirt and grime, yet could not hide the probably once golden weavings in them. From his height and look he seemed to be about the age of a teenager.

He stared up at them, fear in his eyes as he glanced at the gathered warriors, the Abyss Watcher and his flaming dagger especially. Reactions varied among the party, Alissa lowered her bow, a confused look on her face. Xander continued to stay at the ready, his helmet hiding any facial expression. Skyla did not lower her staff, or halt the orange glow that had begun emanating from, yet she still bore a look of curiosity.

The small undead glanced at them all, at first in fear, then in curiosity. "W.....ho are.......you?" He croaked out, his voice unimaginably hoarse, surprising everyone gathered, the undead included as it felt at it's throat, a frown forming on his face.

"That thing can talk!?" Xander yelled, tightening his grip on his sword as though they were facing a very dangerous monster.

The little undead scowled at Xander, "Y...Yeah I can talk. And I have a name you know." The undead now spoke much more clearly, the hoarseness in his voice almost disappearing entirely.

"YOU HAVE A WHAT!?!?" Skyla basically screamed, shooting forward with insane speed and grabbing the undead by the shoulders, abandoning all caution against it.

In response the undead responded as any normal person would. He punched her in the face. Yelping in surprise, Skyla released her hold on the little undead, allowing him to quickly dash behind the Abyss Watcher looking at Skyla in fear as she lay groaning on the ground.

Everyone could only look on in shock, as Skyla pulled her hand away, eyes widening at the sight of blood. She looked at the perpetrator who shrunk further behind the Abyss Watcher, who still crouched down. The Abyss Watcher turned to look down at the cowering undead, tilting his head in curiosity.

"What are you waiting for!?" Xander yelled, pointing his sword at the kid, "Kill that thing!"

"W-What." The undead stuttered out, looking up at the Abyss Watcher in fear, a pleading look in his eyes. The Abyss Watcher stared back down. He smiled underneath his mask. The undead's look of fear turned into one of confusion. The Abyss Watcher stood up, cancelling his [Flame Blade]. He faced his party and shook his head.

Xander took off his helmet, looking at the Abyss Watcher as if he had gone insane. Skyla simply stared emotionlessly at both him and the little undead. Alissa had a mixture of confusion at the Abyss Watcher's actions, and sympathy for the kid written all over her face.

Seemingly sensing the tense situation the little undead spoke up, "I-I do have a name though." He said, bringing everyone's attention back to him.

"And what would that be?" Alissa asked in a soothing voice, seemingly calming down the child.

The kid blinked, frowning in thought, "I think it was...Caelan." He tapped his chin in thought for a moment before his mouth curled up in a smile, "Yeah. My name is Caelan. Caelan Goldvigor. Such a pleasure to make your acquaintance." He bowed down as though he were at some fancy ball and was greeting someone important.

He looked to his party to gauge their reactions. All of their jaws had dropped as they stared at the newly named Caelan.

"D-Did you just say Goldvigor?"