Click to view crude map of crypt room (mild spoiler).

  

  Harry worked his way through the right-side rooms, catching and draining rats until his vitae and health settled back to full.

  The more he pushed past the disgust of draining a rat, the more he noticed the details his mind had blocked out before. The clean give of skin under his fangs. The brief, startled jolt as they broke through. And in the moments before the body went limp, the rapid, frantic pulsing of its tiny heart.

  So instead of disgust at the taste, I get to be disgusted with myself. Wonderful.

  V: 100 | TM: 0%

  A few of the rats carried the same diseases as the other side, but nowhere near as many.

  Must be upper-class rats over here.

  The next-to-last one wriggled weakly in his grip as its life bled out, triggering a new message to appear.

  :: System: Congratulations. You have advanced one skill.

  :: Drain (0) advanced to Drain (1)

  :: Drain (1): (Active, cost: 0 Vitae)

  :: Extract up to 105% of target’s life essence

  :: Bonus 5% on [Willpower Check] to voluntarily interrupt [Drain]

  System, How did that happen?

  :: System: Skills advance through repeated use. Additional increases may occur when you gain a level.

  Oh yeah, I read that somewhere.

  Harry moved from room to room, finding each to be about the same as the ones on the left. A mound of tangled corpses in the center, twisted limbs and half-rotted torsos collapsed into a single heap. He let System estimate the count while his Blood Sense traced the faint green thread buried deep underneath, the same thread in every pile.

  System, if that’s not a Desiccant or a Shambler under there, what else could it be.

  :: System: The Dungeon Aspect is known for its capricious and creative nature. There are any number of undead types that could lurk beneath a pile of bodies. The three most common are the [Rot Bloomer], [Dead Warden], and [Carrion Feeder]. Alternatively, it could be a new type created specifically for this dungeon.

  Wonderful. What would be the worst-case scenario?

  :: System: Each would present unique hazards and potential for rapid level advancement. Estimate that a [Dead Warden] would present highest probability of user termination.

  Alright, so what’s a Dead Warden?

  :: Designation: Dead Warden

  :: Type: Undead Amalgamation

  :: Level Range: 5 base. Increases as new corpses are added.

  :: Traits: Multiple corpses fused into a hulking mass.

  :: Special: Extra limbs, each capable of independent attacks.

  :: Special: Given time, may absorb nearby corpses.

  :: Weaknesses: Fire, focus attacks on connection points.

  :: Immunities: Cold, disease, poison.

  Harry stared at the nearest pile a long moment.

  Oh, that is disgusting. I bet it’s one of those for sure. Do we have to kill it?

  :: System: Negative. For purposes of dungeon clearing, bypassed hazards are considered defeated.

  Harry also checked the side passages before heading back out. They were the same as the ones on the left. Shelves packed tight with bones, mostly skulls, and an open recess on each wall where a Bone Shambler lay in its niche, waiting. He repeated his process of staying pressed to the far wall when passing them.

  He stepped into the main hall and slowed. Cedric stood with the others near the stairwell, looking out into the crypt. Harry hadn’t expected to see him anywhere near the front again.

  They’d been talking quietly, but all four went silent when he appeared in the room. As he approached, Jo, Toby, and Stan kept open, welcoming expressions. Even Cedric only looked nervous instead of hostile. Harry caught the moment Cedric’s eyes flicked to his arm, where the gouges from earlier were now completely gone.

  “Everything on that side looks the same,” Harry said. “About the same number of bodies. And two Bone Shamblers in each hall.”

  Jo gave a quick glance around the group. “Alright. We clear the rest of these and decide the sides later?”

  Stan and Toby nodded. Cedric hung his head and gave a small shrug. “I am sorry. I can’t.” He turned and walked slowly back around the corner to the stairs.

  Harry let out a breath. “Baby steps. I had a nurse once who was afraid of snakes. It takes a lot to get over fears like that.”

  Toby tilted his head, “A wet nurse, sir?”

  Stan snorted. “If’n I get rich, I’m goin’ to your lands for certain.”

  “What, no,” Harry said. “A caregiver, sometimes they assist doctors.”

  Jo narrowed her eyes at him. “I’m curious too. How does a nurse help a philosopher or a scholar?”

  You’re in another world, Harry. Don’t forget it.

  Harry rubbed his forehead. “I think we’re getting off track.” He looked back toward the crypt. “The next one has a sword.”

  Stan brightened. “Mayhap it won’t try to bite us.”

  “True,” Harry said. “Alright, get ready.”

  Harry picked up the pack of rocks from the second sarcophagus and carried it to the next one on the left. The armored corpse lay flat, chainmail dull in the torchlight, longsword gripped in both hands. He edged close to the foot like the last one, stopping when the green thread started to wave. He tossed the pack , this time landing it on its stomach with a thud. Dust puffed up.

  Harry turned and sprinted back, boots scraping over scattered stone. He slid into place beside Jo, Toby, and Stan.

  The Desiccant was already out of its stone coffin and coming right behind him. It charged through the open arch. Chainmail rattled. Its sword was raised high overhead. Jo and Toby braced and set their spear points. Both struck high on its chest, the rusted armor absorbed the impact but the creature stopped cold.

  It swung down at Jo. She slid to the side, dodging clear.

  Harry stepped in and swept its legs with his spear. The undead toppled sideways. Its old pot helm bounced once on the floor and rolled away, the straps falling apart as the helm skidded across the stone.

  Flat on its back, Jo and Toby moved to either side to keep it pinned, planting their spears in the chest while shifting to avoid the swinging blade. Stan used his shield to knock the legs aside whenever it tried to brace and rise.

  Harry moved in at the head, dagger drawn. The corpse jabbed upward with surprising accuracy, the tip of the blade flashing past his face. He pulled back, slid the dagger away, and took out his mace.

  He watched the arm. The next time the sword swung wide, he stepped in and struck. He hit stone beside the skull sending a shock up his arm. He tried again. Another miss, the corpse jerking wildly as it swung at him.

  He reset, waited for a cleaner opening, and brought the mace down hard.

  “Gotcha, you wiggly bastard!”

  The blow cracked the top of the skull with a satisfying crunch. He hit again. The face pushed inward. The smell hit him, old beef and rotten eggs.

  Toby gagged. “Gross…”

  He swung again, missed, swung again, connected. The front of the skull broke open. One more heavy strike. The sparks in its eyes went out.

  Jo and Toby yanked their spears free and retreated to the back wall, coughing and gagging.

  Stan snorted. “Eh, I smelt worse.”

  Harry let the mace hang at his side and grinned at Stan. “Should we get this chainmail off and see if it’s usable?”

  Harry and Stan stripped the armor off the corpse. Jo and Toby wouldn’t come near it until they finished and Harry had dragged the body out into the room and left it beside their earlier kill.

  Harry held up the chainmail. Links hung loose, half-rotted. “Cedric, can you check this?”

  Cedric looked around the corner from the stairs, came over, and took the chainmail from him. He held it up, turning it once. “No. It’s ruined. Not worth the weight for how little protection it would give.”

  He crouched and picked up the sword. A quick glance along the edge. A few short test swings. “This is usable. Some rust, but it has good balance. If you like, I could sharpen it while I… I could sharpen it.”

  Harry nodded, “Thank you, Cedric.”

  Toby shifted his spear. “That one was pretty easy, wasn’t it? Maybe they’ll all go like that.”

  Stan took a sharp breath. Jo slapped a hand over her face.

  Toby blinked. “I’m sorry…”

  Jo only shook her head.

  Stan muttered, “Lad’s gonna curse us proper, ain’t he?”

  Toby looked alarmed. “What? No… I didn’t, did I?”

  Harry shook his head. “It’s alright, Toby.”

  He glanced around the group. “Everyone ready for the next?”

  Cedric turned and moved back to the stairs with the sword. The other three gave small nods. Stan held his arm out for Toby to tighten the straps on his shield.

  Harry went to get the pack of rocks, swung it up, and moved to the second sarcophagus on the right.

  “No sword on this one. Looks like the first two.”

  He had his down to a science now. Feeling confident, he edged close and tossed the pack onto its chest and ran back to the alcove.

  They all watched in stunned silence as the Desiccant jerked upright. It flailed with both arms, dragged itself over the rim, and fell to the floor in a hard rattle of bone.

  Its left leg was gone from the knee down.

  It pulled its way forward, claws scraping across the stone. The sound knifed through the room, sharp enough to make Harry wince.

  It moved faster than it should have.

  Stan stared. “That’s wrong, ain’t it.”

  Jo and Toby stood firm, spears leveled.

  Toby stepped in with a clean thrust. The tip of his spear punched into a red glowing eye socket.

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  The corpse didn’t stop. It pushed itself forward on the spear, shoving its skull farther onto the shaft. Toby held on, bracing his spear under his arm as Harry dropped his spear, pulled his mace, and stepped in from the side to start bashing it over the skull. It only took a few hits before the body slumped and went still.

  Jo leaned in and poked it with her spear. No reaction. Toby looked around with a grin. “See? It’s alright, isn’t it? They’re getting easier and easier.”

  Stan groaned. “That’s it then. He’s kilt us all.”

  Jo stood glaring at Toby.

  Harry wiped his hands on his trousers. “Alright. How are we doing? Anyone need a break?”

  Toby kept his eyes on the floor. “Do I?” He seemed to think about it. “No, sir, I don’t.”

  Stan let out a low grunt. “We’re doomed, ain’t we? Might as well face it.”

  Jo only shrugged and shook her head.

  Harry raised his voice. “How are you doing over there, Cedric?”

  Cedric stuck his head around the corner. “Do not slow down on my account, Sir Harold.”

  Harry dragged the newest corpse away and walked back to repeat the process with the bag of rocks.

  He called out, “This one’s wearing gray robes, maybe white? And I think it was a woman.”

  Jo shifted her grip. “Maybe a priestess of some kind. A healer.”

  Stan waggled his eyebrows, which Harry was able to see thanks to his enhanced senses.

  “Was she a looker then?”

  Harry ignored him.

  System, can an undead be a healer?

  :: System: Affirmative.

  Harry blew out a slow breath. “System says it can be a healer, but that would just make it take longer if it heals itself, right?”

  He got a loud chorus of shrugs.

  “Get ready,” Harry moved closer. “Here I go.”

  He tossed the bag onto its chest and sprinted for the alcove.

  As he reached the others, he realized none of them had set their spears. They stood slack, staring past him.

  Harry skidded to a stop and turned.

  The creature stood upright in its crypt, gray robes hanging in tatters. Something behind it moved.

  “Wings?” he muttered.

  From its back, wings unfurled and unfolded, joint by joint. Massive. Taller than the creature itself and stretching six feet out to each side.

  Harry threw up his hands and almost lost his spear. “Come on. I didn’t see those. How did they even fit?”

  The wings finished spreading, it lifted up and hovered, robes drifting as it looked at them from across the room. Its wings never beat, never moved other than a soft undulating wave.

  Harry let out a soft breath, “It’s the angel of death.”

  Maybe we are doomed.

  It dropped back to its sarcophagus and reached inside.

  Harry caught the shape as it surfaced. A bow. Long, slim, graceful. Wrong in the hands of something dead.

  Everyone stood frozen as it rose into the air again, bow in hand.

  Cedric’s voice cracked through the silence. “Get back. Run.”

  That broke them loose. Jo and Stan spun and bolted for the stairs. Toby staggered a step, caught off guard. Harry stayed between him and the creature, watching the angel draw the bowstring.

  It aimed at Toby.

  The string snapped forward. No arrow.

  But something flew.

  For Harry, time stretched. The shot burned with light, sparking and hissing through the air. Lightning, shaped like an arrow.

  Harry shoved himself in front of Toby and snapped his shield up.

  A heartbeat too slow.

  The lightning arrow slammed into his shoulder, just above the shield's rim. The impact spun him sideways. The smell of ozone sharp in his nose. His arm instantly went numb.

  He turned and staggered toward the stairwell. Cedric reached out from the shadows, grabbed him and hauled him in as another bolt splashed against the stone behind him.

  Harry let his spear drop so he could rub his shoulder.

  Jo stepped close, eyes sharp. “Are you alright?”

  Feeling tingled back down his arm, pins and needles running into his fingers. He flexed his hand once.

  “I think so.”

  He pulled up his messages.

  :: Damage: -0 [Health], +25 [Stun]

  H: 100 | S: 25 .. 24 .. 23 | V: 99 | TM: 1%

  Out in the room, the creature shrieked. The sound echoed through the stone chamber, causing everyone to flinch and huddle down.

  System, I have immunity to that?

  :: [Partial Immunity to cold and electricity: 0]

  Right, so can’t let it hit the others.

  Harry looked at the faces around him. Everyone had gone pale, eyes wide, fear creeping in at the edges.

  “Only stunned me,” he said. “I’ll be fine in a minute and we’ll deal with her.”

  All eyes snapped to him. He forced a grin. “Kinda reminds me of this girl I met at band camp.”

  Stan barked a laugh. “Didn’t peg you as a bloke what runs with bandits.”

  Jo peeked around the corner and jerked back as a lightning arrow cracked into the wall, throwing sparks across the stairwell. “She’s hovering out there. Looks like she’s staying under the high ceiling.”

  Toby clutched his spear. “What are we going to do?”

  Stan dropped onto one of the steps and leaned back like he meant to stay awhile. “’Less you want me to run up an’ bite the thing, I’m out.”

  Cedric turned to Harry. “Can you throw a spear?”

  Harry shrugged. “I’ve never tried.”

  Jo leaned her spear against the wall and knelt where she’d left her quiver, slung it over her shoulder, and picked up her bow. “Can you distract her long enough for me to get off a shot?”

  They had a quick conference and settled on a plan. Three spears were propped against the wall for Harry. He held one underhand, ready to throw if he got an opening.

  Toby would peek out first.

  As soon as the creature fired another bolt, Harry would step out with his shield raised, take the next shot, and Jo would use that moment to fire at it. One shot only, then they’d fall back and regroup.

  Toby leaned out, then snapped back inside.

  Instantly, nothing happened.

  They traded looks. Toby tried again, this time holding his head out. “It’s at the far end,” he whispered. “Just swooping around.”

  Harry looked at Jo. She nodded once. He stepped out. She stayed close behind him.

  Harry moved a few paces and stopped. The creature drifted near the ceiling, wings stretched wide. It didn’t seem to notice them. “Can you hit it from here?”

  Jo shook her head. “Range is fine. But with the way it’s moving, I can’t be certain.”

  “Get ready,” Harry said. “On three, I’ll yell to get its attention.”

  “On three what?” Jo snapped.

  Harry looked back at her. “I’ll count to three and call it.”

  Jo’s eyes widened. “No need. Get ready.”

  Harry faced the room again. The creature had turned and was coming straight at them. He raised his shield and braced.

  Jo’s arrow snapped past him and struck the creature on the shoulder. It faltered mid-flight, twisted, and shrieked again, causing all of them to flinch.

  It moved closer and rose higher, bow coming up, but Jo had already recovered. Her next shot snapped out and hit it solidly in the chest. The creature jerked back but not far, and fired a shot in return.

  Harry saw the lightning coming, time dragging. He raised his shield and caught it full on.

  The impact was a hard shove. Lightning broke over the shield and ran up and down his body in quick arcs. His hair stood on end.

  :: Damage: -0 [Health], +5 [Stun]

  H: 100 | S: 5 .. 4 | V: 99 | TM: 1%

  Harry glanced back. Jo had already retreated to the stairs.

  “Jo, again! Again! Come on!”

  He kept his eyes locked on the undead angel and caught the next shot on the shield as well.

  :: Damage: -0 [Health], +5 [Stun]

  H: 100 | S: 8 .. 7 | V: 99 | TM: 1%

  Jo was behind him again. Another arrow flashed past his shoulder. This time the creature dipped low and the shot missed, but the move left it hanging in place for a heartbeat.

  Harry stepped forward, pushed strength and speed through his limbs, and threw the spear with everything he had.

  It sailed wide of the body.

  And ripped through one wing, leaving a ragged tear. The creature shrieked and crashed to the floor.

  It shoved itself upright and launched back into the air.

  Jo fired again. Her arrow caught the other wing, punching a smaller tear.

  “Toby, spear! Now!” Harry yelled, his free hand stretched behind him, eyes locked on the undead angel as it lined up another shot.

  Toby rushed out, but instead of handing off the spear he hurled it. Scoring a solid hit in the creature’s stomach, driving it back to the floor.

  Movement at Harry’s side made him look over. Stan stood there with only his shield. Cedric was beside him, white as chalk, sweat running down his temple, gripping two spears. He passed one to Harry and kept the other.

  The creature pushed up again. Slower this time.

  Cedric took a steadying breath and threw. The spear flew straight and true, sinking deep where a heart should be.

  It dropped again.

  Harry charged, spear gripped tight in both hands.

  He reached it in an instant. The creature was still moving, slow, up on one knee. Its arms hung loose. The bow lay on the floor beside it. It lifted its head as Harry closed in, the red glow in its eyes flaring brighter.

  Harry pushed for more strength, more speed. His vision sharpened and everything slowed. The point of the spear slid into the base of its neck.

  He kept going, driving it back and down. He planted a foot on its chest as it clawed weakly at his legs.

  He yanked the spear free and drove it down again. And again.

  The red light in its eyes dimmed, flickered, and went out.

  Harry checked his meters. Not too bad.

  V: 95 | TM: 5%

  Just to be sure, he drew his dagger, knelt down, and sawed off the head.

  He kicked it away, stooped, grabbed the bow, and turned back toward the group, only to find Jo giving him a stern look.

  “Get the spears, Harry,” She pointed back into the room. “And my arrows.”

  Toby and Stan both laughed. Cedric wasn’t there. Likely back at the stairs.

  Harry leaned his spear against an empty sarcophagus and took hold of the one Cedric had thrown, still buried in the creature’s chest. He planted a boot on its ribs and worked the spear back and forth until it finally came loose.

  Kid’s got an arm. Need to sign him to my baseball team. After I introduce baseball.

  He set that spear next to his and gathered the others, Toby’s had fallen out nearby and his throw through the wing was halfway down the room. For the arrows, he had to cut the ones from the chest and shoulder. Of the two that flew wide, he found one against the back wall, cracked, but maybe Jo could use the arrowhead or the feathers. He had no idea.

  Finally he bundled the spears across his arms, took the arrows and bow in his hands, and carried everything back. By the time he reached the stairs, the others were gathered at the bottom, passing around a waterskin. Toby offered it to him but he waved it off with a shake of his head.

  Toby seemed to realize Harry’s arms were full and jumped up to help with the spears. Once they had them stacked, Harry held the bow and arrows out to Jo.

  She rose to take the bow, eyes wide, watching his face like she expected him to pull it back at the last second. When he didn’t, she let out a slow breath and ran her hands along the wood. She turned it in the torchlight, checking every curve, then lifted it and tested the pull. “It’s beautiful.”

  Harry waved toward the open room. “Try it.”

  Everyone gathered behind her to watch.

  She tried everything she could think of, but no matter how she drew the string, nothing formed. No lightning. No glow. Nothing.

  Cedric nodded, “I’ve seen the like once before. It likely requires mana to create the arrow.”

  Jo scowled, “You’re probably right.”

  He shrugged in return, “A fine bow nevertheless. Does it fire true?”

  She nocked one of her own arrows and let it fly, the moment it left the string blue sparks wrapped it in a tight crackling field. It hit the far wall and exploded in an arcing burst.

  Stan whistled low.

  Cedric raised a fist in salute. “Well done, Jomila.”

  Jo froze. Her breath caught. Her hands trembled lightly around the bow. Joy broke across her face, wide and bright. She reminded Harry of a young kid who’d just been told her new pet kitten was going to be fine. A smile that went ear to ear and feet dancing with too much energy to stand still.

  She stepped in front of Harry and drew a steady breath. “Thank you.”

  She turned to the others. “All of you. Thank you.”

  Stan lifted his busted hand and clapped her on the shoulder. “Ya earned it.”

  “You really did, Jojo.” Toby reached out and ran a finger along the bow. “I’m glad it works.”

  Jo’s eyes snapped to him. “Toby…”

  Toby’s shoulders dropped. “I’m sorry. I meant Jo.”

  Jo’s stern look softened into a grin. “Naw, it’s alright.” He looked up, hopeful.

  “This time,” she added.

  Toby brightened immediately, any contrition gone. “Maybe that was the worst one.”

  Stan turned and slapped his broken hand against the stone wall. “Imma strangle that boy. I swear it.”

  Jo threw up her hands. “Toby, just stop. Don’t say things like that.”

  “But…”

  He froze when Jo’s hand dropped to her dagger. “I’ll cut your tongue out. Don’t test me.”

  Toby flushed red and nodded fast.

  Stan turned back with a chuckle. “Good lass. You’ll make a fine ma someday.”

  Harry cleared his throat. “Alright. We still have three more to clear. Keep going or take a break?”

  Jo ran a hand over her new bow, “I say we keep going.”

  Toby grinned. “I agree with Jojo.” He immediately darted back into the stairwell, peeking out from behind the corner.

  System, any word on those interfaces?

  :: System: Negative. Consensus on such a major decision will take several cycles.

  Harry picked up one of the spears and hefted it, remembering the feel of the throw. He’d liked it. It felt good.

  Definitely have to get lessons from Toby or Cedric.

  “Alright, get set.” He went to the dead angel and dragged it to the side and walked to the next sarcophagus. “This one has a sword, but it’s broken.”

  

  ***

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