Saint George Cathedral loomed over the circular town centre. Its massive gold dome shimmered beneath the nightly sky, the Suppedaneum cross gleaming with every beam of moonlight possible. The stained glass windows were all but blacked out by the darkness, the white polished walls equally shaded but thankfully untarnished. No enemies at the doorsteps but neither were the town citizens. But Pillagers were lingering across the streets, daring not to tread upon hallowed grounds, not when there were four Golems guarding it. That didnt stop zombies and skeletons and spiders from helping themselves however. Whatever slipped or broke passed the Pillagers were stonewalled by the Golems. Thus the Pillagers were scattered, barricading themselves within houses or businesses adjacent to the cathedral.

Tis a raid, one gone horribly wrong, the boy murmured before ducking from the dormer. How did thee wander astray?

I was visiting my family, the priestess whispered upon seeing the boy sit beside her. They were in the village up there in the mountains. I only received news of the attack when I heard the Ravagers. I swear.

Its okay, I am not Him.

Mm.

How many people live here?

Uh, seven thousand.

Seven thousand, all crammed inside the cathedral? The boy uttered.

Not everyone made it. The priestess whimpered. I cant even tell thee how many faces I have seen tonight, all of them turned.

Believe, sister, believe. Thou do not have gold around?

Nay, but we have alchemists. Thou art thinking what I am thinking. But it be all for naught.

Dont tell me. Most of them are dead.

How on Earth did ye know that? She frowned.

I didnt, but I always expect the worst. Dont worry. I am here and I will help you all. But we need to act fast. I dont believe the Golems can continue to lift the heavens for much longer.

Nai, nai, I am aware. The only other way inside is through the Catacombs.

Tis forbidden, the boy exclaimed softly. Is it not?

Not to a Priestess, brother. The only problem is finding a way inside beyond hallowed grounds.

Hmm. Then I guess we will need to dig underground, starting from this house. Just tell me how deep the catacombs go.

I am not so sure, brother. But I can tell that thee must dig a hundred metres for starters.

Then lets go, the boy stood and conjured his stone shovel.

Wait, thou want me to toil in dust as well?

Nay, I didnt expect thee would, not in those drabs. Come, sister. Keep watch whilst I dig.

Mm, she bashfully nodded as they went downstairs.

The boy pried the planks from the floor and used them to barricade the door, where he began with his first scoops. Not straight downward, however. He began with a heap on one end and began to dig on the other. Back and forth, he safely dug until he struck stone. But he simply made a crafting table and a wooden pick, continuing his excavation with the priestess supervising him from above. He hauled the table with him thereafter, only stopping when she was a mere dot overhead.

Sister? He hollered up.

Yes?

Drop me some sticks.

And she did just that. It was a few cracks of stone later that his pick broke. Thus he crafted a stone pick. Brother? She cried. Yes? He walked back and shouted. Dont leave me here!

Oh for heaven sake, he mumbled before he hollered. Drop me all the sticks thee can find!

And she did just that, fifty of them. He crafted eighteen ladders, only one shy from reaching the top, however. But it didnt stop him from gesturing her, whence she crossed her arms and scoffed. Oh, I see, the boy realised and clambered atop. Ladies first.

Mm, she hummed pleasingly and tenderly climbed down.

Once she was at the bottom, he unblocked the door and resealed the hole. It was not a few moments when he was halfway down the ladder that thumping echoed overhead. Hurgh, argh, hurr, the Pillagers snarled or grunted through the floor. Nothing to see here, the boy sniggered. You saw nothing.

Thou said something? She whispered.

Naught but amusement, he murmured upon reaching the bottom.

Thou certain about this?

Verily.

Thus he resumed his work with the priestess in tow. She lightly hugged him, staying close to him as he dug in the dark. He didnt care if she coughed when he smashed a tiny coal vein, the carbonic dust having no effect on his nostrils other than daintily sullying his 183cm height. It was shortly after crafting a torch that his pick broke through.

Sand? He frowned and grunted.

She gasped upon recognising the sound.

Forgive me, sister, I believe I have sinned.

Thats putting it mildly, she scornfully sneered into his shoulder. Unearth another metre and thou shalt go to Hell.

I promise, he solemnly whispered and nodded. I promise.

Instead, he climbed through stomach first before he helped her follow suit. Upon dusting themselves off, he lit and lifted a torch. Rows of soul sand lined the musty stone brick walls whence he plugged the hole he accidentally dug. Pitched deathly darkness in either direction. But she nodded when he turned left and they walked.

So many souls down here, the boy humbly purred.

Eleven million so to speak.

Eleven? He stuttered lowly.

Mhm.

Eleven million? Didnt know you kept count.

We been counting for two millennium.

Two thousand years of death and suffering? The boy sighed inaudibly. Tsh, Man, you never stop coming up with more wicked ways to die. Havent thee?

Thou said something? She squeaked innocently.

Lets keep going, he said clearly. Up ahead?

Mhm.

The duo treaded onward whence they found and ascended a spiralling staircase. At the top was a simple pine wood door, lined with wrought iron ribs and wretched of dusty dampness. Exchanging a nod to each other, the boy reached for the door knocker.

Then he knocked.