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Wow... it's been so much time hasn't it ? Six weeks, if memory serves me correctly. I apologize for taking so long, but I was on holydays for the New Year and Christmas. So I just came back last Friday and had to write this quickly... So the chapter is pretty bad.... Not only had I to write it as quickly as possible, but I also had some serious inspirational problems.. Well, enjoy your reading if you can :D
A feeling of dread immediately struck them as they passed the Monastery's door. Carefully, eyeing everything around them, the four explored what must have once been the Monastery's entrance. The walls were very richly decorated : sculptures and paintings contrasted with the blood that now covered most of the room. Suddenly, the silence was broken : they heard crackling sounds of bones in movement, warning them of the presence of skeleton fighters. When they saw their foes, they were surprised to see that the undead weren't wielding any kind of weapons. Seeing this, Arcadio advanced scepter in hand, preparing for an easy kill.
''Watch out !'' Kashya jumped, pushing Arcadio roughly to the ground as a deadly bolt of lightning missed both of them by inches. It seemed that despite their lack of weapons, the skeletons weren't disarmed...
Melissa, after swiftly dodging another bolt, launched some ice bolts, chilling the demon horde. Welfor jumped and killed one while landing, and two others swinging his axes in his usual fashion. Kashya, who had quickly recovered after her abrupt landing, finished the two last monsters with her arrows.
''Thanks.'' said Arcadio getting up.
''Hmph. Try to be more careful.'' said Kashya without even looking. She advanced towards the other side of the room, were an impressive door stood, even larger than the Monastery's main entrance door. ''We are going to enter a large cloister, which is the center of the Monastery. A whole army must be waiting for us, so if you value your lives, don't make any more mistakes.'' she said looking at Arcadio who didn't say nothing.
With a loud sound which echoed throughout the whole place, Kashya pushed the door open. Immediately, dozens of arrows were shot in their direction. Arcadio had just time to put his shield in front of him, before charging the skeleton archers. Welfor threw himself behind the protection of a column on his right, and Kashya did the same with the column on the right. Melissa casted some kind of ice spell which created a large frozen shield before her, stopping the projectiles on their flight. Kashya had just time to exit the column's protection to shoot an arrow, slaying one of the archers, before swiftly going back to her position, as the undead shoot more arrows, missing her by inches. Melissa's spell was beginning to fade, and she had to stand behind Arcadio for protection.
''We'll have to wait until they run out of arrows.'' said Kashya to the group.
''I don't think that will be possible.'' answered Arcadio, looking ahead. Massive, angered yetis were approaching them at incredible speed for their huge size. It was impossible to fight while protecting themselves from the arrows at the same time. The only choice was...
''Retreat !'' yelled Kashya running back to the entrance hall, quickly followed by the others, hoping that the yetis would be fool enough to follow them. However, it seemed that evil had increased their intelligence as well as their strength, and the yetis kept their position near the skeletons.
''They're not coming ! What are we to do ?'' asked Melissa frightened.
''Attract them here, of course.'' said Welfor. He ran to back to the cloister, and taunted them with grotesque yells and insults. Before the archers could react, the Barbarian was already hidden with his friends. Soon, the furious beasts followed him, while emotionless skeletal archers remained in the cloister. The yetis were easily killed by the four, but the archers were still in the cloister, waiting for them...
''We have to get rid of those archers.'' said Kashya ''More demons will come if we just wait, and we'll be stuck here.''
''Right. This time they don't have the surprise advantage, so I think we should charge them before they could call more backup.'' said Arcadio. The others didn't place any objections, so the Paladin crept near the doorway leading to the cloister, and after a short prayer, ran at incredible speed, with head down and shield up, and engaged the archers in close combat. Welfor jumped quickly to his aid, swinging his axes in his usual combat fashion. Melissa and Kashya were about to go help them, but small brown-skinned creatures, known as devilklins, were rushing towards them, and they had to retreat while attacking with arrows and spells. After dispatching all the deadly skeletons, Arcadio quickly scanned the place. The cloister was huge and richly decorated, but what caught his attention was the fact that more yetis were approaching from the right, while dozens of corrupted Rogues were running on their direction from the left. Arcadio still had time to see one door fly open and an army of devilklins enter the cloister before he was surrounded.
'This is going to be a long fight' he thought, praying for him and his friends.
Melissa casted a last fire ball on the only remaining devilklin, and held tightly to her staff for support. They had been fighting for what seemed hours against Andariel's minions, yetis, black Rogues, devilklins, skeletons. Welfor's axes and Arcadio's scepter were covered with demonic blood, coloring them dark red. Kashya was looking for arrows in the ground, for she had spent all of hers during the battle.
Welfor sat heavily on the ground panting. Despite his great physical strength, the long battle had taken its toll on him. Melissa was standing near the fountain, her eyes closed, trying to recover all the spiritual energy she had spent while casting her spells. Only Arcadio, due to his vitality enhancing auras seemed to be fresh and ready for more. Kashya approached having collected all the arrows she could find.
''I think we are all tired and hurt after this battle. It would be wise to rest a bit before exploring farther ahead.'' she said.
''Is it safe to rest around here ?'' asked Welfor looking around.
''No, but we could use one of the rest rooms not far from here. We shouldn't be bothered there.''
''Alright, let's go.'' said Arcadio, walking towards Melissa to wake her from her meditation. He gently patted her shoulder until she opened her eyes startled.
''Sorry to disturb you, but we're moving.'' he said gently.
Arcadio helped her to her feet, and they joined Kashya and Welfor who were opening a large door on one of the cloister's side.
''The Monastery is divided in three parts, " explained Kashya while leading them through a maze of empty corridors '' separated by that central cloister : the dormitories, the canteen and the library are all on this side. On the opposite side are our training yards, and finally the barracks, where we keep our weaponry, the jails and the cathedral stand on the front side. Andariel has turned the catacombs under the cathedral into her headquarters.''
"So I guess we'll go there ?" asked Welfor.
"Obviously." she answered curtly. Welfor was a bit surprised by her harsh tone. Melissa gave him a sympathetic look, for she did not like the cold woman at all. Arcadio was the only one in the trio she seemed to respect, since he was an experienced fighter, but thee quiet man barely spoke to her. Finally they arrived to what seemed to have been once a huge dormitory. Dozens of beds were standing on each side of the room.
"Do you think we won't be attacked during the night ?" asked Arcadio.
"I don't think so...Andariel must have called most of her army back into the catacombs to wait for us. Still it would be safer if we took turns guarding this night."
"I can take the first turn" said Melissa "I need to meditate a bit to recover my magic, so I might as well watch.
"Good because, I'm exhausted." said Welfor yawning and laying back in one of the beds, which was far too small for him. Despite his uncomfortable position he quickly fell asleep.
Not so lucky was his Paladin friend, who was again struggling to find sleep. He raised from his bed, and walked towards one of the only windows in the room, thinking some cool air would help him sleep. He began gazing vaguely at the mountainous lands below, but suddenly was startled by a rather amused voice.
"Couldn't sleep again ?" Arcadio realized that the voice was coming from the next window, and as he approached it, he saw Melissa sitting on the edge of the window. She smiled at him.
"Once again we meet in the middle of the night." she said.
"Luck or fate, these meetings are not unwelcomed." he answered immediately. Melissa smiled, amused by his answer, and moved a bit to allow him to sit down next to her, as he did.
"So... what were you thinking about ?" asked Arcadio after a short silence.
"Things.... After all, tomorrow we should be facing Andariel.. I can't help but feel a bit nervous." answered Melissa.
"Oh I see..... It's normal, I'm not that confident myself." confessed Arcadio.
"But there's something else.... After you kill her, you want to go to the desert, don't you ?"
"Yes. Welfor and I are going to follow Diablo... I imagine he's heading East..."
"I see... I have to go to the desert too... Did I tell you that I come from there ?"
"No. Are you from Lut Gholein ?" asked Arcadio surprised.
"Not exactly. A small village some 50 miles North from Lut Gholein.... But with all the troubles in the desert, I've heard that all the citizens either fled to Lut Gholein or have been killed."
"That's just... awful. Did you have family there ?" he asked, dreading the answer.
"Yes... My parents... And a younger brother. But I haven't seen them for a long time." she said gazing at the stars. "That's why want to reach Lut Gholein.... to see if they are alright."
Arcadio didn't know what to say.. "I'm sure they are...."
"I hope so. But I will gladly go with you...It's been nice fighting with you" she said and then yawned.
"Go and get some sleep. I'll take the next turn."
"Thank you." she said getting up. "I'll see you in the morning then. Good night." Melissa kissed his cheek and returned to her bed slowly.
Arcadio stood there, gazing at the sky for a long time....
"Wake up !" Arcadio, Melissa and Welfor awoke brutally. Kashya, who had taken the last turn was looking at the door, worried. Noises of steps and cursing could be heard on the other side. "We have to get out of here !".
The three heroes quickly grabbed their things, but before they could do anything else, the door flew open.
"Devilklins !" yelled Kashya, killing one immediately. Melissa burned another with a fireball, and the others retreated. Welfor ran to the door and closed it, putting one of the beds in front of it to prevent the demons form entering.
"They're too many ! We can't fight here !" he said to his companions.
"Come here. We can exit through the secret passage." said Kashya, walking towards the wall facing the door. She pressed one of the stones, and suddenly the wall turned revealing a small corridor. "Follow me" Kashya didn't have to say it twice, as all the three were already inside and Kashya closed the passage.
"Wow... We're lucky there was that passage."
"All rooms of the Monastery have two escapes. Just a precaution, in case of attack. Useful, as you can see."
They walked for some time in the damp, cold passage, when finally Kashya opened a secret door, and they entered in the cloister where they had fought the day before. Kashya ran to the massive door leading to the dormitories and locked it. No devilklin, with their small and weak bodies would be able to open it.
"Now we might as well start going to the catacombs." she said when she returned near the group. They nodded, and she led them to another side of the cloister, where a door was standing, quite similar to the one which led to the dormitories. She opened it, and all four stood there, unable to move, horrified by what they saw...
I believe people call that a cliffhanger.. Here it's more 'lack of inspiration and too lazy to continue and describe what they see'....
Anyway I was thinking on developing this little romance thing between Melissa and Arcadio, but I just suck so much at it !! Hope next chapter will be a bit better...
}
Wow... it's been so much time hasn't it ? Six weeks, if memory serves me correctly. I apologize for taking so long, but I was on holydays for the New Year and Christmas. So I just came back last Friday and had to write this quickly... So the chapter is pretty bad.... Not only had I to write it as quickly as possible, but I also had some serious inspirational problems.. Well, enjoy your reading if you can :D
A feeling of dread immediately struck them as they passed the Monastery's door. Carefully, eyeing everything around them, the four explored what must have once been the Monastery's entrance. The walls were very richly decorated : sculptures and paintings contrasted with the blood that now covered most of the room. Suddenly, the silence was broken : they heard crackling sounds of bones in movement, warning them of the presence of skeleton fighters. When they saw their foes, they were surprised to see that the undead weren't wielding any kind of weapons. Seeing this, Arcadio advanced scepter in hand, preparing for an easy kill.
''Watch out !'' Kashya jumped, pushing Arcadio roughly to the ground as a deadly bolt of lightning missed both of them by inches. It seemed that despite their lack of weapons, the skeletons weren't disarmed...
Melissa, after swiftly dodging another bolt, launched some ice bolts, chilling the demon horde. Welfor jumped and killed one while landing, and two others swinging his axes in his usual fashion. Kashya, who had quickly recovered after her abrupt landing, finished the two last monsters with her arrows.
''Thanks.'' said Arcadio getting up.
''Hmph. Try to be more careful.'' said Kashya without even looking. She advanced towards the other side of the room, were an impressive door stood, even larger than the Monastery's main entrance door. ''We are going to enter a large cloister, which is the center of the Monastery. A whole army must be waiting for us, so if you value your lives, don't make any more mistakes.'' she said looking at Arcadio who didn't say nothing.
With a loud sound which echoed throughout the whole place, Kashya pushed the door open. Immediately, dozens of arrows were shot in their direction. Arcadio had just time to put his shield in front of him, before charging the skeleton archers. Welfor threw himself behind the protection of a column on his right, and Kashya did the same with the column on the right. Melissa casted some kind of ice spell which created a large frozen shield before her, stopping the projectiles on their flight. Kashya had just time to exit the column's protection to shoot an arrow, slaying one of the archers, before swiftly going back to her position, as the undead shoot more arrows, missing her by inches. Melissa's spell was beginning to fade, and she had to stand behind Arcadio for protection.
''We'll have to wait until they run out of arrows.'' said Kashya to the group.
''I don't think that will be possible.'' answered Arcadio, looking ahead. Massive, angered yetis were approaching them at incredible speed for their huge size. It was impossible to fight while protecting themselves from the arrows at the same time. The only choice was...
''Retreat !'' yelled Kashya running back to the entrance hall, quickly followed by the others, hoping that the yetis would be fool enough to follow them. However, it seemed that evil had increased their intelligence as well as their strength, and the yetis kept their position near the skeletons.
''They're not coming ! What are we to do ?'' asked Melissa frightened.
''Attract them here, of course.'' said Welfor. He ran to back to the cloister, and taunted them with grotesque yells and insults. Before the archers could react, the Barbarian was already hidden with his friends. Soon, the furious beasts followed him, while emotionless skeletal archers remained in the cloister. The yetis were easily killed by the four, but the archers were still in the cloister, waiting for them...
''We have to get rid of those archers.'' said Kashya ''More demons will come if we just wait, and we'll be stuck here.''
''Right. This time they don't have the surprise advantage, so I think we should charge them before they could call more backup.'' said Arcadio. The others didn't place any objections, so the Paladin crept near the doorway leading to the cloister, and after a short prayer, ran at incredible speed, with head down and shield up, and engaged the archers in close combat. Welfor jumped quickly to his aid, swinging his axes in his usual combat fashion. Melissa and Kashya were about to go help them, but small brown-skinned creatures, known as devilklins, were rushing towards them, and they had to retreat while attacking with arrows and spells. After dispatching all the deadly skeletons, Arcadio quickly scanned the place. The cloister was huge and richly decorated, but what caught his attention was the fact that more yetis were approaching from the right, while dozens of corrupted Rogues were running on their direction from the left. Arcadio still had time to see one door fly open and an army of devilklins enter the cloister before he was surrounded.
'This is going to be a long fight' he thought, praying for him and his friends.
Melissa casted a last fire ball on the only remaining devilklin, and held tightly to her staff for support. They had been fighting for what seemed hours against Andariel's minions, yetis, black Rogues, devilklins, skeletons. Welfor's axes and Arcadio's scepter were covered with demonic blood, coloring them dark red. Kashya was looking for arrows in the ground, for she had spent all of hers during the battle.
Welfor sat heavily on the ground panting. Despite his great physical strength, the long battle had taken its toll on him. Melissa was standing near the fountain, her eyes closed, trying to recover all the spiritual energy she had spent while casting her spells. Only Arcadio, due to his vitality enhancing auras seemed to be fresh and ready for more. Kashya approached having collected all the arrows she could find.
''I think we are all tired and hurt after this battle. It would be wise to rest a bit before exploring farther ahead.'' she said.
''Is it safe to rest around here ?'' asked Welfor looking around.
''No, but we could use one of the rest rooms not far from here. We shouldn't be bothered there.''
''Alright, let's go.'' said Arcadio, walking towards Melissa to wake her from her meditation. He gently patted her shoulder until she opened her eyes startled.
''Sorry to disturb you, but we're moving.'' he said gently.
Arcadio helped her to her feet, and they joined Kashya and Welfor who were opening a large door on one of the cloister's side.
''The Monastery is divided in three parts, " explained Kashya while leading them through a maze of empty corridors '' separated by that central cloister : the dormitories, the canteen and the library are all on this side. On the opposite side are our training yards, and finally the barracks, where we keep our weaponry, the jails and the cathedral stand on the front side. Andariel has turned the catacombs under the cathedral into her headquarters.''
"So I guess we'll go there ?" asked Welfor.
"Obviously." she answered curtly. Welfor was a bit surprised by her harsh tone. Melissa gave him a sympathetic look, for she did not like the cold woman at all. Arcadio was the only one in the trio she seemed to respect, since he was an experienced fighter, but thee quiet man barely spoke to her. Finally they arrived to what seemed to have been once a huge dormitory. Dozens of beds were standing on each side of the room.
"Do you think we won't be attacked during the night ?" asked Arcadio.
"I don't think so...Andariel must have called most of her army back into the catacombs to wait for us. Still it would be safer if we took turns guarding this night."
"I can take the first turn" said Melissa "I need to meditate a bit to recover my magic, so I might as well watch.
"Good because, I'm exhausted." said Welfor yawning and laying back in one of the beds, which was far too small for him. Despite his uncomfortable position he quickly fell asleep.
Not so lucky was his Paladin friend, who was again struggling to find sleep. He raised from his bed, and walked towards one of the only windows in the room, thinking some cool air would help him sleep. He began gazing vaguely at the mountainous lands below, but suddenly was startled by a rather amused voice.
"Couldn't sleep again ?" Arcadio realized that the voice was coming from the next window, and as he approached it, he saw Melissa sitting on the edge of the window. She smiled at him.
"Once again we meet in the middle of the night." she said.
"Luck or fate, these meetings are not unwelcomed." he answered immediately. Melissa smiled, amused by his answer, and moved a bit to allow him to sit down next to her, as he did.
"So... what were you thinking about ?" asked Arcadio after a short silence.
"Things.... After all, tomorrow we should be facing Andariel.. I can't help but feel a bit nervous." answered Melissa.
"Oh I see..... It's normal, I'm not that confident myself." confessed Arcadio.
"But there's something else.... After you kill her, you want to go to the desert, don't you ?"
"Yes. Welfor and I are going to follow Diablo... I imagine he's heading East..."
"I see... I have to go to the desert too... Did I tell you that I come from there ?"
"No. Are you from Lut Gholein ?" asked Arcadio surprised.
"Not exactly. A small village some 50 miles North from Lut Gholein.... But with all the troubles in the desert, I've heard that all the citizens either fled to Lut Gholein or have been killed."
"That's just... awful. Did you have family there ?" he asked, dreading the answer.
"Yes... My parents... And a younger brother. But I haven't seen them for a long time." she said gazing at the stars. "That's why want to reach Lut Gholein.... to see if they are alright."
Arcadio didn't know what to say.. "I'm sure they are...."
"I hope so. But I will gladly go with you...It's been nice fighting with you" she said and then yawned.
"Go and get some sleep. I'll take the next turn."
"Thank you." she said getting up. "I'll see you in the morning then. Good night." Melissa kissed his cheek and returned to her bed slowly.
Arcadio stood there, gazing at the sky for a long time....
"Wake up !" Arcadio, Melissa and Welfor awoke brutally. Kashya, who had taken the last turn was looking at the door, worried. Noises of steps and cursing could be heard on the other side. "We have to get out of here !".
The three heroes quickly grabbed their things, but before they could do anything else, the door flew open.
"Devilklins !" yelled Kashya, killing one immediately. Melissa burned another with a fireball, and the others retreated. Welfor ran to the door and closed it, putting one of the beds in front of it to prevent the demons form entering.
"They're too many ! We can't fight here !" he said to his companions.
"Come here. We can exit through the secret passage." said Kashya, walking towards the wall facing the door. She pressed one of the stones, and suddenly the wall turned revealing a small corridor. "Follow me" Kashya didn't have to say it twice, as all the three were already inside and Kashya closed the passage.
"Wow... We're lucky there was that passage."
"All rooms of the Monastery have two escapes. Just a precaution, in case of attack. Useful, as you can see."
They walked for some time in the damp, cold passage, when finally Kashya opened a secret door, and they entered in the cloister where they had fought the day before. Kashya ran to the massive door leading to the dormitories and locked it. No devilklin, with their small and weak bodies would be able to open it.
"Now we might as well start going to the catacombs." she said when she returned near the group. They nodded, and she led them to another side of the cloister, where a door was standing, quite similar to the one which led to the dormitories. She opened it, and all four stood there, unable to move, horrified by what they saw...
I believe people call that a cliffhanger.. Here it's more 'lack of inspiration and too lazy to continue and describe what they see'....
Anyway I was thinking on developing this little romance thing between Melissa and Arcadio, but I just suck so much at it !! Hope next chapter will be a bit better...
}