The wall was covered with a crackling, shimmering barrier of energy, the boggy, sumpy water around it dead and brackish. Semari tossed a branch at it, the thing hanging for a moment, suspended in mid-air, before shrivelling away into ash and dust.

‘I ain’t dumb enough to touch that!’

‘I think this is one for you, Janaxia. Or you two?’

Behind the magical barrier, the wall looked rough and worn, low enough that Semari could easily jump it, if it wasn’t for the magical energy in the way. It seemed to extend around, at least as far as could be seen, shimmering with power.

Janaxia tossed a bolt of darkness at it, the power vanishing into the barrier, the effect making a small ripple. More bolts, four in quick succession, had much the same effect, the warding spell soon returning to a rippling curtain.

Skotadi stood up on her hovering platform, making the thing move closer. The base stopped, a few inches shy of the barrier, Skotadi reaching her hand out. Occult jewellery now hung from her wrist, brassy and twisted, gems bound up in cages of wire mesh. Was she accumulating more power, or was it just ornamental? Her nails were a bright, blood red, coming to points as sharp as her teeth, a finger reaching out, and lightly tapping against the forcefield.

The shimmering started to slow, the warping effect shifting around Skotadi’s touch, brighter and darker patches within it now more clearly visible. She pressed her nail against it more forcefully, the slowing effect getting stronger, until all of it that Stathis could see was still and motionless. When not in motion, it looked scabby and sclerotic, foggy darkness mixed with blurry smears of less intensity.

‘So, now what? Can you break through?’

There was a faint sheen of effort on Skotadi’s face, her fingertip still pressed against it. Is this not enough? This seems impressive enough, I feel?

Stathis approached, picking up another branch and throwing it forward. It fell against the barrier, hitting the edge and sliding to the floor without falling into ash.

‘That’s something, at least. Thank you.’ She drew her sword and raised it high, bringing it down against the now-solid barrier. She heard it crack under the impact, but it was tough and resistant, making her arms ache. For her next attack, she invested some of her energy into the strike, warm light washing out, pushing back the oppressive darkness for a moment. As soon as it hit, the light winked out, energy drawn into the field, cracks of light now mixing in with the darkness. Another blow – was it feeling less tough now? The lines of light seemed to be getting more overt, or perhaps that was just from spending so long stuck in the omnipresent darkness.

Vrintar’s axes slammed into the field as well, magical steel clanging against it. In the stillness darkness, even that sound seemed far too loud, but there was no indication of any alarms being raised.

Another blow, her arms aching and throbbing now, shoulders sore. The brief flash of light from her blade fade, light transmitting itself into the sphere, cracks spreading wider and further. If that kept it, someone would definitely notice! Skotadi was pushing her finger forwards, nail now sliding through the thing, her finger twisting.

And then it shattered, loud and screeching, like metal breaking into shards. Stathis winced at the noise, a moment later hearing the sounds of an alarm.

‘Shit. So much for surprise! Janaxia, which way is the nearest entrance?’

Vrintar attacked the wall, raising rubble and dust, smashing through old bricks, heat raising from her body as her attacks got faster and more powerful. Semari had already jumped onto the wall, looking down for further instructions.

Follow the path, if it remains. It should lead through the gardens, and then onto a side-entrance. From there, progress until you reach the grand hall, then go upstairs and turn right. Mother’s study is behind magical wards, should they still be active. Beyond it, the sanctum may be accessed through the only other doorway – it is of more recent construction, so it should be easy to spot. Although I would hope that we remain together, so that any opponents can be faced as a group.

Semari jumped down, out of sight, followed by the sounds of violence, Vrintar still working on demolishing the wall, a small crack rapidly expanding outwards. When it was large enough, Stathis ran at it, smacking stray bricks out of the way with her shield, leading with her blade.

Semari was on top of a struggling figure, punching them in the head, despite their groans of protest. Stathis could see their wounds healing already, running forward and thrusting her blade into them, the length of it igniting with holy fire. Their struggles ceased, black ichor running from their body into the ground.

‘Let’s go!’

There was no light, but she could hear the sounds of movement and commotion, something hissing from the darkness. Janaxia had dismounted from her throne, charging forward on foot, Vrintar racing ahead.

Stathis lagged behind, waiting for Janaxia, letting her take the lead.

This way. And if you two could kindly keep up? While dignity is important, at certain times so is speed, and this is one such time. Kindly dismount, unless you wish to be forced to do such. Her tone hardened, before Skotadi stepped off the platform, her clothing shimmering into something thicker, although still not really battle-gear.

Sounds of violence and combat came from somewhere, echoed and warped by heavy foliage, direction hard to tell. Janaxia seemed certain of her direction though, moving briskly ahead. Tree branches and vines, moist and rotting, emerged from the gloom. Some of them shivered and twitched, barbed thorns twitching before Stathis sliced through them, something rustling in the darkness.

Be wary of carnivorous plants. There are some rather unique specimens.

‘You could have warned me of that better!’ Something slithered against her back, wood scraping around metal, before she twisted and sliced through it, another vine twitching and falling to the ground.

Stathis heard a telepathically broadcast burst of un-words, a ripple of cold air blasting out. The foliage whimpered before going still, bark turning to dust, vines disintegrating.

‘Thanks!’ Stathis wasn’t sure which of the other two had done it, but it made movement a lot easier. She kept moving forward, cutting through another hanging vine, stamping on a writhing root underfoot.

The dense foliage opened up, revealing a wider space, filled with ominous looking pillars of shining black stone, wire strung between them. Sharp-edged spikes hung down, the pillars rough and jagged. Stathis’ eyes ached, trying to tell what of the floor was dark shadow, and what might be a pit or trap. Her ankle twisted, the ground loose and dry, without even weeds holding it together, Janaxia reaching out to steady her.

‘Which way?’

There, the house isn’t far. I can see it, even if you cannot.

From behind them, there came sounds of violence – hopefully that would be enough of a distraction! The sharp-edged shadows were threatening though, forming themselves into imaginary attackers.

‘You two, can you do anything about this lot?’ Stathis gestured at the pillars and wires. Looking up, she could see humanoid shapes impaled on them, limbs bound about and restrained, and looked away, not wanting to see more.

A fierce babble of un-words assaulted her senses, Skotadi sounding feral, her fingers bending and twisting in ways that weren’t physically possible. She had her eyes closed, her clothing whipping and lashing around her. Through it, patches of her skin could be seen, some of her flesh turning to a shining, obsidian sheen.

The pillars started to thrum and shake, the wires whispering as they shook at the same time, several sharp lumps of solid night falling down. Stathis raised her shield to protect herself, feeling an impact, the thing slicing straight through the reinforced wood, then stabbing into the ground with enough force to embed itself. Stathis took a step back, glancing upwards to make sure she wasn’t beneath another one. Pained groans were coming from some of the impaled bodies, as they twisted and writhed atop the pillars, arms and legs flailing.

The pillars started to melt, the sharp-edged surfaces fading, getting blunt and soft as Skotadi’s chanting got louder. Ribbons of shadow were streaming towards her, wrapping around her now-ragged clothing, lifting her up of the floor.

Stone cracked, shrapnel splintering out, Stathis reflexively bracing herself and throwing herself in front of Janaxia. She felt several impacts, sharp and cold cuts penetrating her armour, her healing powers fading as she tried to cure herself. One of the pillars she could see toppled to the ground, the stone melting into a pitted and corroded surface. Another, then another followed, the wires breaking as well, sending more of the shards falling downwards.

Stathis waited until the sounds stopped, the area now filled with the collapsed and ruined slabs of stone.

‘Are they safe to touch?’

Perhaps, but let us not risk it. Janaxia led the way, moving ahead, moving through the lighter areas. Stathis followed as closely behind as she could, trusting to Janaxia’s better vision. The air was cold, and she could feel heat draining out from her wounds, the soil crunching beneath her feet.

From the darkness suddenly loomed the side of a stately manor, now covered with decayed and desiccated ivy, looking to be held together as much with plantlife as by mortar. Where there had once been windows, there were now gaps, some of them boarded or bricked up, but others just empty, gaping holes. Was that a face, staring from the shadows for a moment? A broken, decapitated and dismembered statue was in a niche by a door, rust-marks mottling and marring the once-white surface.

Janaxia approached the door, gesturing with her hand. Symbols appeared on the wood, smooth-lined burn-circles flashing in acknowledgement of her presence, before she placed her palm against it. Something heavy and metal rattled, then clunked, the door swinging open.

Movement flashed down from above, Stathis shoving Janaxia out of the way, something landing on her. Talons scraped against her armour, and she stabbed back upwards in response, feeling her sword stabbing into flesh, hearing a hiss of pain. They twisted about on top of her, trying to unbalance her.

She stabbed again, thrusting full-force, or at least as much as she could given the angle, feeling the blade sink deep into them, metal scraping against bone. Eldritch blasts hammered into it, a torrent of attacks from the other three, slamming it backwards with enough force that Stathis was carried with it, getting knocked against the wall.

The thing let go, falling over. It was a twisted mess of flesh, body gore-covered and scarred, countless black shards penetrating through the skin. It was impossible to tell what gender it had once been, the skin of the face drawn back. It hissed, revealing long fangs, before screeching in pain, body contorting and twisting. The black shards pulled up, yanking the flesh with them, before it exploded, getting torn apart. Blood and ichor splattered outwards, a broken mass of blood and bone falling back to the ground with a wet splat.

Janaxia gestured at Stathis, cleaning off some of the bloody smears, before turning back to the door and pushing on it. The thick door slowly swung open, Janaxia having to give it another push when it stuck.

Where were the others? She could hear the sounds of combat, but distance was impossible to tell. There was a slithering hiss from somewhere above, a thick rope of pasty liquid falling to the floor. Stathis shoved Janaxia forward, turning and grabbing at Skotadi, pulling her forward, ignoring her grunt of surprise.

As soon as they were all inside, the door slammed shut, the lock sealing itself. Green mage-lights flickered into life, illuminating dusty, ill-kept brickwork, along with greasy charcoal-smears daubed onto the walls, making Stathis’ eyes ache when she tried to look at them. They immediately started to melt and warp, the shapes breaking apart, lines of shadow trailing through the air.

Skotadi and Armoniki both inhaled, the lines rushing towards them, sinking into their skin.

‘Which way?’

Keep going forward.

Stathis obeyed, taking the lead, shield up and ready. This looked like a side-entrance, suitable for visitors, with niches along the walls, holding more broken and mishappen statues. The whole place was in need of repair! Or burning down.

Left.

Stathis skidded around a narrow corner, smacking into the wall, feeling the plaster break apart from the impact. A grand staircase rose up ahead of her – this was the main entrance, meant to be an impressive showcase of wealth and power. Now it was dark and damaged, a skylight fallen in, puddles of brackish water on the floor. There was carpet, or at least the rotted remnants of such, the hardwood floor partially fallen to ruin, cracks and gaps visible. She began to vault up the stairs, ignoring the creaks of distress they made beneath her weight, glad to reach the raised landing that seemed more stable underneath her feet.

She looked down, hearing Janaxia close behind her, but Skotadi and Armoniki were slower, only just now coming up the stairs. At least they were lighter though, able to move upstairs without risking falling through. Each was now surrounded by a haze of dark motes, slowly settling onto their skin and soaking in, the misty dust moving with them. Their eyes were solid spheres of black, Skotadi meeting Stathis’ eyes, a chill feeling going through her until Skotadi looked away.

One of the floorboards burst into emerald light, beams of energy forming around Janaxia, a web forming around her, her body going stiff and paralysed. Skotadi, if you would kindly…?

A beam of darkness flickered out, hitting the bright beams, eating away at the light, rapidly creeping along. Janaxia twitched her fingers, before managing to break free, the green lights shattering into shards.

Some of the defences have been refreshed. Something of an inconvenience. She flung her wrist forward, bolts flickering outwards, a barrier of more green light shimmering into existence at the top of the stairs. A growl came from above, a shape dropping down, landing on all fours with painful cracks, before standing up, wounds already healing, finger-claws extended.

‘Foolish mortals!’ It’s voice was rough and slobbery, before it charged, hands stretching forth.

Armoniki slashed their hand through the air, conjuring up ropes of darkness and casting them forth. When they struck the charging attacker, they sank into flesh, rooting them where they stood.

You have nothing, all that you have is stolen from elsewhere. And what will you be without stolen power?

Skotadi giggled, high-pitched and shrill, raising a hand to her lips and blowing them a kiss. A chunk of their flesh wrenched apart into a messy, gory explosion, a black shard flying out.

‘Silly little thief of flesh! So ugly and wretched. But don’t worry, you won’t have to suffer much longer.’ She reached out, forming her hand into a grabbing claw, red-painted nails shining brightly. Armoniki pulled on the ropes, the cords biting into flesh, cutting through, penetrating the skin, blood oozing out.

They shuddered and screamed, trying to break free, but couldn’t manage anything more than futile writhing. Stathis turned and moved back down the stairs, levelling her bladed and then stabbing forward, her blade penetrating their neck. Golden light shone along her blade, the wound burning, not healing itself shut, as they went limp.

‘If you’re going to kill someone, then just do it, don’t be mean about it.’ She twisted her blade, decapitating them. The bands suddenly sliced all the way into them, cutting their body to meaty ribbons. They both made disappointed sounds. ‘It’s a lot tidier that way!’ Stathis booted the remnants of the body down the stairs, where it fell further apart before hitting the bottom in a disgusting squelching splat.

At the top of the stairs, Janaxia was slinging bolts against the barrier, the thing rippling under each attack. There was another seething hiss from above, more of things starting to appear from the darkness. Skotadi and Armoniki both lent their attacks as well, the light starting to deform under the combined assault, before Stathis ran back up the stairs, attacking it with her sword. A flare of energy rippled along her blade, making her arms ache and jangle, but she felt resistance, drawing back and attacking again. It felt weaker now, although it still lashed and stung at her.

‘Hold them off a little longer!’

Armoniki hissed something back at her – from the tone it, it wasn’t polite, but it wasn’t really the time to tell them off! Another strike, her arms now aching and throbbing.

Twisted descendants of ours… You should not be, and so shall not! A chill washed over Stathis from behind herself, her blade swinging down again. The barrier broke, falling into stray lines of light before rapidly blinking away to nothing.

Stathis turned around to see long trails of black energy streaming towards Skotadi and Armoniki, wavering between them, as they growled at each other. ‘Don’t squabble! Learn to share!’

The energy split into two, streaming into each of them.

‘Good. Everyone able to continue? We’ll have to hope that the others can catch up. Which way, Janaxia?’

This way!

Janaxia charged down what had once been a grand hallway, now fallen into dusty disrepair, Stathis following behind, making sure that the other two didn’t get distracted.