Greetings All
I hope your week has been relaxing. I know my household is ramping up to our mini Christmas party. Today is also a public holiday, which has allowed me to get some time away from a project that is really draining.
But anyway, when last we left our adventuring crew, Lucien had disappeared and the Hungers were attacking. Be sure to follow up on what @zakludick wrote here before starting on my addition.
“Where the hell did this thing come from?” demanded Adrian as Mortis made sure his feet were firmly on the battlement.
“Less questioning, more fighting.” Reminded Mortis as he swung his sword to face the new thing.
It looked like it could have been a mountain man, but his chest had been splayed out and the spiked ribs were opening and closing like some grotesque maw. In the centre was a maw that was yelling gibberish.
The air suddenly grew heavy, and this time Adrian pushed Mortis out of the way while yelling, “It’s casting!”
Instead of stumbling, Mortis swung out of the way as a black tongue-like thing lashed out from the centre of the creature. Anna managed to take the Hunger’s head off, but it did nothing as the creature spun around and latched its ribs around her arm to pull her closer to the maw. Leo panicked, a sign of his exhaustion, and tried to stab the creature only for it to tighten its grip, causing a crunch.
Adrian took a deep breath. He was exhausted and didn’t have much strength left, but he knew what he needed to do, and so did Mortis. He grabbed the grimacing knight and pulled her back as Adrian muttered one more spell to pierce the chest of the Hunger.
It screamed a gargled scream, releasing the knight, and spewed black blood everywhere before stumbling over the edge and falling into the gathering fray below it. Anna held her crushed armoured arm to her chest and groaned.
“We can’t keep this up.” Said Trix as she appeared next to Adrian. “Share some of my power and end this.”
“How?”
“Fewer questions.” Started Mortis as he noticed more of the creatures heading their way.
“Cast a spell to bring the sun and I will take care of the rest.”
“I don’t have much magic left.”
Trix inclined her head to more creatures climbing the wall, “And we are out of time.”
Shutting his eyes and drawing on the last spark of magic within him, Adrian called upon the elements to help him one last time to bring light to this miserable place. Why was he even here? He was kidding himself thinking he would survive a grand adventure like his sister. This was a nightmare. Then, somewhere at the back of his mind, he could hear his sister muttering to him.
“You got this.”
Then the little spark grew into an inferno he could barely control. He was barely holding onto the magic when it broke away from his control. Despite his eyes being closed, he saw the light that flew up into the air.
“Close your eyes!” he screamed as he squatted down and covered his eyes.
He had no idea if any of them heard him, as soon after there was a roar that was reminiscent of a windstorm he had once heard. Then, as quickly as the spell had left his control it was over. The light disappeared and the wind died down. Adrian slowly opened an eye and saw all his companions squatting around him. They all looked confused, especially when they noticed Sebastian, Trix, and Mortis were all gone.
“Was that turn undead?” demanded Derric, “We have undead party members!”
“It wasn’t meant to be turn undead.” Whimpered Adrian as he got to his feet and looked around. All around them were what appeared to be shadows fused with the stonework, likely the remnants of the undead creatures, hungers, and their other companions.
Adrian felt tears prickling in his eyes. He knew he hadn’t had control, but he had not expected his magic to do this. It was just supposed to be a light spell, not turn undead.
Magna had stepped over to where Leo was trying to remove the armour around Anna’s crushed right arm. She hardly seemed phased by what had just happened. Adrian couldn’t help but feel that all this adventuring and death had made his sister jaded. How come didn’t she feel devastated that she had killed their companions?
Magna turned to look at him, lifted her wrist, and showed him the bracelet she wore. It was still in one piece, meaning they were still bonded with the two hungers. Adrian looked around him, trying to see where they could possibly be hiding.
“Adrian, not now.” Said Magna softly. “Need your help with this.”
Adrian rubbed at his eyes and went to help his sister and Leo pull away the dented armour on Anna’s arm. She had the scabbard of her sword between her teeth, but it did little to muffle the sounds she was making.
“I’m sorry.” Muttered Leo as he held her still as the twins worked.
Eventually, the armour peeled away to reveal intact skin but a horrible black bruise that quickly started to swell. Magna shook her head, “Not good. The bone is shattered, likely destroying the artery. She’s going to lose the arm unless we take it cleanly now.”
“No need to be barbaric.” Said Derric. “If your brother can turn undead, he must have another cleric spell.”
“I don’t.” said Adrian.
“I do.” Whimpered Anna. “But I cannot concentrate.”
“Derric, get a fire started. You know my pain herbs by now. Get them boiling.”
Derric looked like he wanted to argue, but instead, he jumped at the order. When he was out of sight, Magna grinned at her brother and exclaimed, “Where the hell did you learn that?”
“It just happened. Was it turn undead? Did I kill Mortis?”
“Relax. I saw Trix grab him and Sebastian as soon as she realised the spell you were building was more than you could handle. I saw her drag them into a shadow and then disappear. The manacles are in one piece, meaning Sebastian and Trix are safe. And if they’re in the shadows and safe, then so is Mortis. Though it may take some time for them to return. How long do you think it will take for the Hunger to return?"
Adrian looked up and noticed the clouds were nowhere to be seen now, and the sun was rising. With natural sunlight a mere hour away, he was sure they would be safe for a few hours, but he wasn’t sure.
“I think the more important question to ask is where Lucien has gone.”
And now I pass the ball to Zak! Have fun bud!
Here is an explanation of Chain Stories and here is the current Chainstory Library
Mortis Custos
Sanguifex
The Reader List
If you would like to be tagged in every episode of Mortis Custos, leave us a comment and get added in, miss nothing!
The Watchlist:
@weone, @merenludick, @clairemobey, @therneau, @blitzzzz, @pravesho, @joetunex, @captainquack22, @irisworld, @braaiboy, @sketchygamerguy, @fuego-oscuro, @felt.buzz, @dibblers.dabs, @beeber, @brittandjosie, @tamacvet, @alonicus, @joetunex, @stdd, @uop, @luizeba, @cryptoniusrex, @agreste, @itzchemaya, @darthsauron, @seki1, @pannavi