Okay, this story has been rolling around in my head for about a year. So decided to get off of my lazy butt and write it. So here it is!

-Anathema

Artix von Krieger stood alone on the hill, moonlight flashing on his sword as he fought wave after wave of the undead. He smiled as he fought, even making a pun now and then. He swung his blade, clearly slicing off a zombie's head.

"That's no way to get a-head in life!" Arix shouted. The zombies groaned, but, seeing as that was one of the few noises zombies could make, that wasn't surprising.

What was surprising was the actual, human laugh from within the ranks of undead.

Artix looked out onto the waves, suddenly seeing a line of fallen zombies cutting its way through hoard. He tried to see who was doing it, but the fighter got to him first.

She was about the same height as he was, with long blonde curls and pale skin. Her armor was white with golden trim, and a dragon sat on her shoulder. It was the same color as her armor, which was the same color of the rest of her: gold and white. She grinned at Artix.

"Hey," she said, "You're the Paladin everyone in Amityvale was talking about?"

"Probably. I'm the only Paladin around here," Artix looked at the dragon, "You're…Evangeline, right? The Dragonlord? I've heard about you."

"It's just Eva," Evangeline said, "And this-" she pointed at the dragon, "-this is Xuicoatl."

"Zi-what-now?"

"ZI-COAT-IL. Xuicoatl. It's from some old dead language. I read it in a book once. Liked the way no one could pronounce it." She stared at him for a moment and smiled again. "I like your cape."

The undead hoards groaned.

"Guess we should take care of that," Eva said, pulling out a long, hooked blade and putting her back to Artix's, slashing at and zombie that came within her reach.

"Wow, Eva, I am so glad you are in DoomWood," Artix said, "It is an honor to fight beside you."

"Thanks. So, what exactly are you up to here?"

"Exorcising the undead to free their souls. It is also great exercise!"

Everyone, including Eva, groaned.

"Need a hand?" she sighed.

A zombie hand landed at Artix's feet. The zombies snickered.

"Heh…." Artix and Eva both laughed half-heartedly.

Arix passed her a small sheet of parchment. Eva looked at it and smiled. It was "Artix's Official List of things that should NOT be said around UNDEAD."

"So…do you always hang out in creepy graveyards battling the undead?"

"No, not all the time." Artix said, slashing a zombie in half, "Sometimes I go to Undergroud Crypts, Lich Lairs, Mummy Tombs and the occasional Shopping Mall."

"Wait…the mall?"

"Indeed! The undead LOVE malls. Someone puts up a sale and they swarm like bees!" Artix coughed uncomfortably, "Zom-bees!"

There was silence.

"Say," he said quickly, "if you are battling against creatures of Darkness it would an honor to come with you."

"Sure!" Eva laughed, "as long as you can keep up!"

Artix seemed surprised for a moment, then laughed.

"I like the way you think! This is going to be fun!" Artix cut the head off of an oncoming zombie, "I am trying to destroy the Necropolis. If you want to give me a hand, I will meet you there."

Eva nodded, and began to fight her way out of the hoards of the undead.