Crypt of Dangers

Pausing in her step, remembering her lesson within the Hollow Marshes. Aurelia dismissed her excitement.

"What are you doing here?" Sionn asked, not in the least like a child, but rather a protector.

"Are you all truly children? I know those exposed to Acana grew in intelligence quicker, but this seems a little excessive. I would love to have a blood sample." Drilon mistakenly said, watching two firebolt sigils appear without a chant.

Holding his tongue, he cuffed his palm, "Sorry I may have misspoken, but I assure you I am no danger. I am but a scholar fearful of his life. I honestly did not mean to attack you. Help me to the Red Priest, and I believe I can reward you with gold."

"Zireael is a duke and I daughter of a Marquess." Ella curtly informed, holding an arrogance born from her title.

"Nonsense. We shall help. You all need some gold if you are to live with me. You all will have to fend for yourself." Said Zireael, shocking everyone to their core. "So let's go grave robbing. This seems like the best choice. Just make sure Aurelia opens every door her staff protects her. You all not so much."

Chuckling at the odd turn in his favor Drilon nodded in agreement," we do the same at Salem. Students, no matter their age, must fend for themselves. We offer housing, but everything else is up to them. Help me out, and I will gift seven Gold Coin. A more than acceptable task."

"Seven Gold is indeed fair." Said Ella, the only one out of everyone but Zireael who knew the true value of money. "With that, a common family could survive for about seven years without any worry. They could even be considered rich for what they have."

"Than we accept!" Aurelia said, not truly sure if this was the right course of action. But she understood Zireael had done much for her. She understood his point but still could not feel a building resentment. That did not go unnoticed by the Lord in question.

Patting his heart, relieved at her words. Drilon grinned, "Good! I got lost about two weeks ago. And the last of my supplies have run dry. Do you have any idea where the Red Priest went?"

"He went further in," Zireael replied, eying the direction the red priest went. "He was with two other people. I believe they are students."

"Than we must hurry, monster-like ghouls, Skeletons, and many others like the Valmitotarmis Spider's reside, and I promise you all none of us are strong enough to battle that thing. They could tank a tier-one spell with minimum damage. I suggest we hastily look, for we are in the Valmitotarmis lair.

(A/N: Google Translate Valmitotarmis to hear how it sounds. It's a made-up word.)

Feeling the hairs upon their backs rise to a fine point, Sionn, Ella, and Aurelia all turned towards the exit in haste. Baffled by how a monster drooling black slime from its lips got in.

"GHOUL!" Aurelia hastily shouted, charging with a dark golden aura around her body.

Clawing at her skull, Aurelia swiftly evaded with ease. When all of a sudden Sionn reached her side, arching his shield, he clashed with the ghouls rotting flesh. Throwing it off balance, aurelia severed its head with a single stroke while Ella dug her short sword through its head instantly.

"Do not let it hit you!" Aurelia informed, recalling the words of Anima, within the Hollow Marches, "It will paralyze you!"

Holding a tight formation around Drilon, who remained silent, they left the empty chamber he resided in. Noticing the active Crypt now swelling with dangers, a dreadful fight tugged at their hearts.

"Let's move, do not forget I am here." Said Zireael, staring out without expression at the sea of skeletons gripping various weapons. "They are weak, but you just need to shatter their heads. Simply severing their heads and body will work, but their bodies are quite resilient agist slashing and piercing. Sionn, Ella, and I will handle the front line, Aurelia you will be shooting spells. Remember not to overdo it. Use your sword more frequently."

Sensing the pure vital energy of the young children, the endless horde of skeletons with burning blue flames jaws began to chatter. Charging towards them at an impeccable pace despite the absence of muscles and flesh.

"Attack!" declared Zireael in a decisive tone!" We are breaking through! Everyone keep up!"

Rushing while everyone followed, a powerful force blast echoed from Zireael as he cast a level zero spell shattering the bones of hundreds of skeletons to give everyone room. With his blade held firm, his sword began to dance a river of death.

Moving like a dancing demon of destruction, Zireael's blade and body acted as one. Yet, for some reason, his blade did not sever or slash like a blade should but rather shattered and broke whatever it laid upon, similar to a hammer.

Nevertheless, both Sionn and Ella did not stand idly by. Gripping the weapons of choice, they defended against the endless streams of skeletons. None of them were strong, but the never-ending amount placed a great strain upon the children, especially Ella, who did not have a shield or magic to depend on.

"Ella, fall back!" Aurelia shouted, "Your switching with me!" she said, swiftly changing positions.

Casting an instantaneous force blast, the fine mist of bones exploded out as her blade danced alongside Sionn who's shield and sword were both lashing against the monsters. Sweat could be seen around many of the children as various wounds began to appear upon their bodies. Trickling with blood over the ground, their breath began to quicken, but none complained. Not now, not in the midst of battle.

"Everyone duck!" ZIreael roared, his arcana beginning to suddenly spike with danger. Sensing the Alarm spell compelled them to comply. Aurelia pushed Drilons head down when a faint whisper of a devil echoed. "Severing Haze!"

With a single twirl of his body and blade, a silver cyclone flickered out, slicing through every skeleton in view, including the walls turning them to ash in an instant. Growing a little paler, he roared, "Move out! There could be more!" He said, shooting through while the others rushed to their feet, following with haste.

Envious of that technique, Zireael used Sionn dreamed, gipping his blade as he followed behind. But Sure enough, more enemies began to appear. This time there were four Ghouls, surrounded by ten skeletons that were growing in number.

"Zireael, take care of the skeletons! Ella, you're with Sionn. I will handle your rear and protect Drilon."Aurelia commanded, pointing her staff high summoning two force bullets to her staff.

She needed speed and force. And Force bullet was her fastest spell with the power to split through many beasts.

Weary from the endless battle, Ella and Sionn both nodded but did not rush out. They were not Zireael whose skill put them to shame. They needed to rely on one another.

"I will handle the defense. Go for the head," Said Sionn with solemn eyes filled with excitement. He did not know when it started, but he was both fearful and excited—holding a battle-hungry expression. He watched the ghouls lunge towards him with hungry eyes.

"COME!"