“Has anyone seen Deacon?” Armand called out as he clambered over the corpse of the Corpungie Queen. Several people shook their heads no. Up above on the lip of the opening, the rest of the adventurers that got separated shouted down into the now cavernous opening. In the distance water could be heard running. There must be an underground river nearby. Armand ordered the others to search for anyone else down here that might be hurt.

Ralph and Amanda started picking up others. The big adventurer with the war hammer was crawling out from under one of the Queen’s legs. There was a bloody gash down the front of his chest that was slowly sealing itself up by the minute. Amanda had a thought upon seeing this.

“If we’re still in a party that means Deacon is ok, right?” Amanda asked Ralph.

“We are, so I guess your right. I’m actually starting to feel a lot better myself. We should save any potions for those int the worst condition.” Ralph answered.

“So where the hell is he? I know we got separated in the battle, but this hole is deep, not infinite.” Amanda said with the hint of annoyance in her voice. As she finished saying that a rope ladder rolled out in front of her. She looked up to see Tantus making his way down the rope ladder that appeared to be free standing.

“Is everyone all right? I have a little mana left and I have a healing spell. As well as some potions.” Tantus asked.

“Good, bring all of that over here.” Armand ordered.

“I think I found him, He’s breathing pretty heavy and looks to have taken a beating.” Typhus called out sitting on a rock a few feet away from Amanda.

“Where? You’re just sitting there.” Amanda asked.

“My shadow found him on the other side of the monster further back. It’s going to stay with him until we get over there.” Typhus answered. Ralph and Amanda started in that direction before being stopped by Armand.

“Finish helping here, then you can get him. With Typhus’s shadow playing guard dog he’ll be all right. He’s still conscious since we are all in his party and that perk of his is offering everyone healing. We will get the injured secured down here and then you will be free to get him.” Armand said calmly while infusing his words with authority. The recovery continued with Tantus helping to heal those down here while Elle and Pai Mei were watching over the injured above.

“They are helping those closest and will be along soon. I’ll be here incase something goes wrong.” Typhus’s shadow said to Deacon who was just sitting between some large rocks. It was bizarre to him that the rocks fell in such a way they wouldn’t crush him, but he didn’t have freedom of movement.

“That’s fine. Before you showed up my plan was to ghost through some of this rubble, but I didn’t know how thick it was. Don’t want to get stuck. You get it?” Deacon said while checking his health bar. It was now at fifty percent and climbing. The last time he was this hurt there was a spear through his guts and he was trying to find Philo. This world is so vastly different from his home. He’d be dead ten times over back there. Deacon figured now would be a suitable time to check his notifications.

The following abilities have increased to level two:

Ability Name

Level

Progress

Description

Ice Sickles

2

5%

By circulating Nether Energy you can project finely edged blades. These blades count as Holy damage and can be increased based on the speed of the spin. Max blades equal half level rounded down. Costs five percent soul energy per blade.

Touch of the Void

2

5%

This ability applies Holy damage to your melee strikes by channeling the cold void of the Nether Plane. Repeated strikes apply a slowing effect.

Nether Beam

2

5%

Nether Beam fires concentrated Nether Plane energy causing a target to freeze in place until thawed. This technique can be sustained to create thicker ice at the cost of a soul per minute.

You have reached level three in the following:

Ability Name

Level

Progress

Description

Zageracks Breathing Technique

3

25%

This ability allows for the conversion of souls into energy within your body. Souls will be drawn to you passively at a slow rate. If you meditate and concentrate on your breathing, you can absorb souls much more quickly. Soul energy can be used for various special attacks, these attacks will all count as Holy damage.

Quest Update- Corplungie- You found the source of this invasive species and stopped them from breeding. Return to Farmer Richard. Rewards: Farmer Richard will speak with the other farmers moving your proposal closer to fruition. Additional Reward: Local horse breeders will work with your pending racetrack.

“Now that is a worthwhile additional reward.” Deacon thought. Shortly after his review he heard digging above him. Loose rocks and dirt started to pour over his head until a tiny bit of light poked through. He judged the distance didn’t exceed seven and half feet and went intangible. Ralph and Amanda jumped back in surprise as Deacon phased half through the rock before pulling himself out completely. To his right he could see the shadow Typhus standing near where he was stuck pointing down.

“You could do that the whole time?” Amanda asked incredulously.

“It has a limited distance. I don’t want to become corporeal inside a ton of rock.” Deacon said.

“Great, we need your help. Can you make potions out here or just in your lab?” Ralph asked.

“I don’t have a traveling alchemy set if that’s what you’re asking.” Deacon said.

“Well you just popped out of a rockslide, so who knows what you’ll surprise us with today.” Ralph responded.

“Let’s go boys.” Amanda said turning on her heel.

“Ok but which way?” Deacon asked looking around at the crumbling makeshift cavern. No sooner did he ask that than several pounds of dirt and rocks started to pour from the cavern wall. A blue light appeared in the direction Amanda and Ralph came from. It was Tantus holding a glowing blue stone over his head. It looked like the rocks and dirt were sliding off of a half dome emanating from the rock. Shortly after Tantus passed through the dirt shower a large boulder slid into place behind him with a loud thud.

“I’ll let Typhus know you will be finding another way back?” The shadow asked raising an octave with his voice toward the end of the question.

“You might as well.” Ralph said looking at Tantus like he had two heads.

“What? I came to help you with Deacon.” Tantus said not understanding the looks he was getting.

“What’s that rock in your hand?” Deacon asked.

“Yes, yes, It’s a magic item of my own design. It is supposed to keep rain off your head. I wanted to affix it to a helmet or cloak’s hood, but I haven’t had the opportunity.” Tantus replied.

“What do you think about a bandana or scarf?” Deacon asked stepping closer to Tantus and starring at the stone.

“Guys, we have to get out of here. Not a fan of being underground.” Ralph said clutching his sword hilt.

“Right. Let’s try this way.” Deacon said as he broke off his conversation and headed towards one of the many corpungie dug tunnels. He was quickly followed by three people complaining that they couldn’t see in these caves. Tantus offered to use the stone again and as he did, they could all see the edges of the magical dome started cutting into the tunnel’s walls. He quickly shut it off before starting another cave in.

“You don’t have a magical lantern or something?” Ralph asked.

“No, no, there were mage lights everywhere in The Tower. It was never an issue.” Tantus replied.

“I can see just fine. Stay close and I’ll get us out of here somehow.” Deacon said.

“Not good enough. I only have one torch on me. The issue is air. We are in enclosed spaces, and we may need the air. So choose you lot, light or air. We can’t fight without either.” Amanda said rummaging through her bag.

“I need to figure out the formula for matches.” Deacon said offering no help at all.

“If you have the torch, I can probably enchant it to use less air. Minimize the issue.” Tantus said.

“I don’t think that’ll be necessary.” Said Deacon.

“Ignoring the fact that I just hit my head for the third, why don’t you think we need it?” Ralph asked.

“Because I see a light ahead.” Deacon answered.

“What light?” Amanda asked.

“You can’t see that? It’s really bright.” Deacon answered.

“Deacon, no idea what you are seeing but it sure isn’t daylight.” Ralph responded.

Deacon stumbled downhill into a wide-open chamber. There were bones of all kinds strewn all over the ground. Once the others stepped through, they finally lit the torch, unable to see what light Deacon was talking about. The now lit chamber contained bones, waste, and some half-eaten carcasses. The light from the torch mostly lit the room completely except for an object against the wall in the back. Deacon walked over to it followed by Tantus. It was a triangular archway made of solid marble with nothing inside except stone. Etched along the exterior was a script Deacon had never seen before but the archway is what was giving off all the light in Deacon’s Soul Sight.

“No, no, not Vasileeze. Not Boken. It’s Archaic Rune Script. It is the language of creation. Looks like it’s the same thing repeated. The symbols resemble the runes we use to create magic items. There is a difference though. In dealing with runes depth and variation mean everything.” Tantus said.

“I can’t even see the runes.” Deacon said shielding his eyes with his hand.

“Can you read them?” Asked Amanda bringing the torch closer.

“I could give you my best guess, but I have nothing but my artifact crafting knowledge to fall back on.” Tantus replied. At the same time Deacon turned away to explore the rest of the space.

“Ok, ok, if this corresponds to what I have in my book and I try to filter it through some old Bokan I picked up on a trip to the Bokangie village, funny story about that trip actually. I tried to clean one of their statues with a spell and ended up animating it. It took an hour to bring it down…” Tantus said before being interrupted by Amanda.

“What the hell does it say Tantus? The stench down here is soaking into my armor.” Asked Amanda at the same time Deacon slipped on some loose bones and stumbled backward toward the arch.

“The Wode something, something touch of divinity.” Tantus spoke aloud as Deacon contacted the marble illuminating all the script and causing the interior of the arch to pour white light into the room washing over all four of them. The light began to increase in intensity so much they covered their eyes with their hands.

Once the levels of light started to dial back, they all tentatively started to remove their hands. All four of them were sitting on a white sand beach. The ocean was lazily lapping against the shoreline. Turning away from the ocean they can see palm trees and brush further inland. In the distance they can see a large war galleon cracked in half on a nearby island. There were other islands dotted around the area and blue skies as far as the eye can see.

“Where in the ten hells are we?” Ralph asked.

“Check your slate.” Amanda said getting to her feet and drawing two daggers. The others did so.

You have unlocked a Mortal Plane Wode- This Wode was meant to imprison Sumna daughter of Cathis, Deposed God of Excess and Avarice. It is Sumna’s power that binds her to this prison. The Wode will draw challenges from your mind. Defeat Sumna to escape and earn your reward. Be warned, if you fail and Sumna escapes it will begin the return of the Deposed Gods.

“Deposed Gods? That’s tier three Deific, Unholy power.” Tantus shrieked before Ralph put a hand over his mouth.

“No choice, just like always. Be ready for anything. I don’t see anything on my slate’s map. It’s like we were just deposited here.” Deacon said.

“Correct. Just fog of war starting from the immediate area around us.” Ralph replied as he drew his weapon.

“How are you three so calm about this?” Tantus asked.

“Tantus, you travel with the Champion of Cheshire now. You’d better prepare yourself for nonstop idiotic adventures and numbskull plans.” Amanda said.

“I feel attacked.” Deacon said.