Chapter 183: [183] Catacombs

Artie, Ash and the knights arrived at the building after a short trek. Once they were about to enter, Artie dismissed the spell she had used to shield them from the rain.

Just above her, there was an invisible dome that was blocking the rain. But as she glanced at it, the spell deactivated, allowing the rain to flow freely down.

David lead them to a hatch hidden deep inside the building, and then he pulled it open, creating creaking sound as the rusty hinges grinded against each other.

“It is down here.” He motioned at the hole.

The entrance was dark, and a flight of stairs went down into the darkness like a stairwell into the abyss. But Artie could see a a faint light deep within it.

“What? Don’t tell me you are scared?” Samuel scoffed as he walked down the stairs.

“Forgive him. Boys his age are far too hot headed for their own good, he’ll calm down as he ages.” David apologized.

“I suggest you keep a close eye on him then. Many like him don’t get to live long.” Artie walked passed David and entered into the darkness.

David glanced at Ash and sighed as Ash gave him an apologetic look, then the two of them stepped in as well, shutting the hatch behind them.

Once they got down the stairs, there was a long line of crystal lights attached to the ceiling, shrouding the long hall in a blue light.

Duke was leaning next to the wall, staring at the floor but once he saw them, he pushed himself off it, and jogged up to the group.

“Shall we?” He asked.

They all nodded. “Let’s be on our way.” Samuel said, walking ahead of the group.

“What is this place?” Ash asked as they got deeper into the tunnels. “Did your forefathers build it?”

David glanced over his shoulder. “Not really. These catacombs have been here long before Kingsbridge was built. It is said that a more ancient race used to inhabit these tunnels.”

Ash nodded, absorbing his words.

“Interesting. These caves can be very advantageous in times of war, the enemy would never suspect a thing.”

David smiled proudly.

“Precisely! That is why we are currently renovating the place. But the catacombs are large, it will take days to go around it.”

“I’ve been meaning to ask.” Ash took a quick glance around the room. “Who is guarding the baroness currently?”

David turned to meet his gaze periodically as he spoke.

“We can’t always be here since we are the most trusted aids of the Baron, so, periodically we have to leave…”

“Initially, we thought the catacombs were safe, but recent events has lead us to make counter measures.”

“We have a very advanced spell sealing the room. The baron ordered it after the last incident. No one is getting in or out.”

Ash nodded. “Ah, I guess my worries are unfounded then.”

They continued talking, their footsteps creating echoes that bounced along the walls before coming back to them.

Artie stared at the walls as she walked. What caught her attention the most were the deep groves that were etched into the stones.

They were sword marks, but somehow, it was odd.

Some of the sword arcs were inverted, while others were never complete.

It was like the strokes had been made then divided and spread around the room… or the room had been completely rearranged.

’Just what sort of battle did you have here, Eliron?’ She mused.

“The baroness’ room is just around the left corner.” David announced.

“When we get there, we will take shifts every now and then to patrol the immediate area around the room—”

David stopped when he realized Artie and Ash had stopped walking.

They were now at the crossroad, one leading left, towards the baroness’ room, while the other lead deeper into the catacomb’s unmapped territory.

David’s eyes narrowed as he stared at them, his hands slowly resting on the pomel of his blade.

As noticed this gesture but did not make any move to reach for his.

“I’m afraid we will have to make a detour, Sir David.” Ash said calmly.

David replied in a stern tone, once it came to his duty, there was no humour in his voice. “A detour? I was not informed of any such plans.”

Behind him, Samuel already had a dagger out, an aloof expression on his face as he played with it.

Artie nearly rolled her eyes. The youngling’s overconfidence was rather amusing.

But before the discussion could escalate pasta trade of words, Duke stepped forward.

“That is because it is top secret, we could not tell you up until this very moment, Sir David.”

The veteran knight stared at him for a few long seconds, before letting go of his sword.

“If you say so my lord.”

Duke smiled. “Thank you. I’ll lead the way.”

He was about to start walking when Samuel walked ahead of him. “Sir Samuel?”

“It is a knight’s duty to be the first line of defence for his lord. I do not know what this detour is about, but I’d rather be cautious than careless.”

His eyes stopped on Artie as he said the last part.

Duke nodded. “Alright then, do as you wish.”

’They are similar in a way…’ Artie thought, staring at Duke.

The young lord still had an eyepatch wrapped around his eye.

Even when Yen had offered to restore his vision, he strongly opposed it, saying that it was proof of his resolve.

She slowly shook her head as they began their march.

<••>

’According to Eliron, there was a strong wave of magic somewhere here…’ Artie thought, focusing her senses to pick up even the most faint hints of mana.

For whatever reason, this place seemed far stranger than the rest of the catacombs.

The shadows clung to the walls, and floor enveloping it in darkness. The lights would flicker on and off, with each passing second…

Soon, they walked passed the part of the catacombs that had been renovated, stepping atop carved, solid stone.

Eliron did not known the exact location of the magic disturbance, but he described the structure of the room in detail to Duke.

The young lord was probably the most knowledgeable when it came to the caves. He had apparently even been there before, and so he knew the path well.

“Your knowledge of the catacombs always impresses me young lord. You do not even need a map to navigate this place?” David asked with a chuckle.

Artie stopped walking…

“I’ve been playing here my whole life, of course I will—”

“Quiet, everyone of you.”

Artie suddnely raised a hand, silencing them. They all turned to stare at her, trying to figure out what was going on.

Samuel on the other hand folded his hands across his chest, an annoyed look on his face.

’Tch. Why is she being so dramatic?’

If there was truly danger, then he would have sensed the bloodlust a long time ago. Even the trainees could do that.

Meanwhile, Artie took a step forward, her eyes scanning the room.

As an archer and hunter, she had grown up searching for the faintest clues and picking out the lowest sounds.

She closed her eyes.

Tic—tic—tic—

It was a sound similar to clicking iron, or was it chains?

“Where is it comming from?” Her eyes slowly moved from person to person when—

BOOOM!

“What the—”

The wall right next to Samuel burst open, sending dust and debris flying out at his face.

Out of the dust, large, one foot claws tore through, reaching to grasp his neck.

He was trying to unsheath his sword, but the claws had already grazed his neck, seconds away from ripping off his head.

He was too slow. Death had come for him.

Samuel had alredy resigned himself to his fate, when suddnely a golden light flashed, appearing right in his field of vision.

A hand grabbed onto the back of his neck, pulling him back just as the claws ripped through the air, grazing him, and drawing blood.

Swooosh!

His hair blew back, his vison blurred, occupied by golden sparkles.

And the next time he opened his eyes, he was sitting on the floor next to Artie, his head still perfectly placed on his shoulders.

“Haaaaa—!” He breathed out, his eyes wide as he stared at the silhouette infront of him.

Swish!

The sound of unsheathing blades rang through the air.

“Good God!” David stared at the monster in front of him, unblinking.

It was a humanoid beast about seven feet tall. It’s skin was dull, greenish-grey, and its muscles were barely hanging off its disfigured bones.

It had short, pointed ears, sharp fangs that went past its lips, and gleaming, yellowed eyes that stared at them with hunger.

TICK—TICK—TICK—TICK!

The monster clicked its tongue repeatedly, tasting the air, then its eyes snapped in Artie’s direction, it’s eyes locking on her.

Step Step—

Behind them, two others appeared, trapping them in the hall.

Artie frowned.

“Well, this is not something you see every day…”

She stole a glance at Samuel who was rising to his feet, his jaw tight with rage.

Artie smirked. “A blood sucking ghoul… Think you can handle one of them, eh? Kiddo?”

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