A purple light lit the way for a robed childish form with an odd pumpkin shaped head and an oversized black hound, though neither needed the light to see in the cavern's darkness. The mine was clearly dwarven in nature with it's ornate cloumns and walls. The dwarves often turned many of their better mines in to cities, but that was certainly not to be the case with this mine. This mine had been completely abandoned. Deep within they had been greeted by a fell beast of great power. Rith could not find much other description of the creature but he assumed it was a dragon or massive wyrm. If Rith was correct the creature wouls still be alive, despite the many year that had passed by. Though dealing witth it's spawn was not a pleasing thought. It was the soul of the beast that he was after. If his estimates were cirrect it would be just what he needed to complete Torment's new form.

Rith halted as he came up to a large walling that barred him from going further. A Set of massive double doors appeared to be the only way to go on, but these would not even budge. Aside from the warnings that riddled the wall, their were runes upon the doors that indicated the seal upon the door. Child's play. Rith raised a blue goved hand and and the runes lite with a pruble light and a deep humming sound. Slowly the light of the runes was put out by darkness that steadily conusmed the purple runes. When all the light had be consumed by the various dark matters the doors shuddered and the ground shook lightly. The stone doors rumbled and groaned as they slowly opened wide. "Child's play," Rith thought to himself again he strood foward. Rith's worg, Torment took the lead and the curious light which was actually Terror kept watch on all things behind them. Rith did not want any adventurers curious of all the ruckus surprising him.

Eliel skulked in the shadows, watching the pumpkin-headed figure open the huge doors. Silently, he applauded the humanoid. He had been stationed here for some time, After using a detect undead spell nearby. A large presence was somewhere past those gates, but he just didn't know how to open them. His knowledge of the arcane wasn't large enough to covor such runes. He kept wary of the worg, as well as the short one, as it had shown itself to be very formidable.

Eliel was indecisive. Part of him wanted to introduce himself to the creature, and the other part of him wanted to stay hidden. There was another, smaller part of his mind that wanted to run off. Eliel smirked and pushed that last thought out of mind.

He came to a decision. If he stayed hidden, he risked being captured and killed. At least trying to introduce himself had the possibility of gaining a new friend, someone to help him find this undead beast deep within the cavern beyond the gate.

Eliel took a deep breath and walked out of the shadow. He made an obvious move to unstrap the sword from his belt and to throw it to the ground. Assuming he had the pumpkin-man's attention, he projected his voice to it. 'Hello, there. I mean no ill-intentions. My name is Eliel, And i am a friend-' he cut himself off with a private hope '-and i wish to accompany you to find the beas--erm, to explore the cavern.' he doubled back in his own thoughts. He had his claws retracted in an attempt to hold some surprise.

Rith could sense a psychic presence nearby. It had been there since he began opening the door. It was far too weak to be an Illithid or any of the other psychic creatures of the dark lands. Its powers were likely limited to some simple form of telepathy. The dark lands was not likely a wise place for the wayward adventurer, or beast, as mind flayers favored the minds of those with psychic prowess while still disliking a talented Psychic like Rith who completely outclassed them at their own game. Rith pondered what to do to this creature. It had done nothing foolish as of yet, of course Rith did not need interference when taking out the ancient beast.

The creature stepped forward and discarded any sense of stealth as it audibly drew in air. Rith paused, but did not turn around. After hearing the clank of metal Rith felt a flow of psychic energy, but he heard nothing. Nothing entered Rith’s mind that he didn’t bring in from another, of course telepathic bonds he created were a different yet similar matter. As Rith turned around he entered Eliel’s mind and quickly found the answer to what the psychic energy was and why Eliel had chosen to emit it. Rith found it amusing that fate had sat fit bestow a mute child with psychic powers out all the millions of humanoids that would get no such psychic prowess.

Rith pointed swiftly at the half-drow and a dark ray of purple light streaked forward and unerringly made it’s way to Eliel’s forehead, likely causing a searing pain upon entry. A little more flish and flash to the spell, but it distracted none from the spells true effect. The spell was effectively meant to Alter Eliel’s psychic’s waves such that they were broadcasted in a clear audible voice, yet it wouldn’t just broadcast thoughts the half-drow wished. It would send out all of the half-drow’s clear thoughts such that there were indeed not secrets Eliel could hide. At least Eliel would know his thoughts were being monitored as he’d be able to hear them. The spell even had a ingenous filter to keep Rith from being bombarded by useless thoughts, while still exposing the rest of Elie's thoughts.

“That's much better. What were you trying to say again?” Rith asked, His menacing grin danced about as he spoke. The large worg had done little aside from stop and look back at the elf, the elf was not not a threat that he needed to concern himself with and he soon looked back to the caver depths.

Eliel, despite his obvious predicament, was somewhat annoyed. He projectd another thought across. 'My name is Eliel, and i mean no harm to you or your pet here,-' he gestured to the worg '- And i wish to accompany you to explore these caves beyond the door you've just opened.' He finished. Grinning inwardly, he thought to himself, 'Maybe i should have told him about the creature.' At least he tried to think to himself. he heard the thought as clearly as he had heard the statement to the pumpkin-creature.

He recognized what had happened. While not much of a spellcaster himself, he recognized spells and runes quite well. He had just been subjected to a basic telepathy spell. His thoughts would be read, whether he wanted them to or not. His brow furrowed in thought.

Eliel, holding a curiosity for psionics, as well as with the undead, decided to press along the edges of the spell. He sent out thoughts to probe the connection, trying to learn something, anything. Nothing occured. Downtrodden, he recoiled his thoughts and awaited the pumpkin-man's answer.

"Tell me Eliel why do you seek so badly see a creature that could deal with you as if you were naught but a feeble insect? There is a reason after all why that seal was set upon this mine," Rith replied after turning around and resuming walking deeper into the cavern. His voice was cold and almost mocking yet, notabley that of a child. The worg and the strange light followed their fromer course along with Rith. If the elf was going to stand there and wait for an invitation, let him, Rith didn't need his company. Terror and Torment would likely be enough to take out the beast, and Rith doubted Eliel would be able to do much to help. Even so, it wouldn't hurt to have the elf tag along.

The real quetion was how he had learned of the creature. Rith doubted it was simply because he had detected a large undead behind the the massive doors, but could find no evidence proving other wise. The elf had likely botched the spell it was highly unlikely that the beast was undead. It could, however, mean that someone else was already after the beast through another route, or far more likely, the beast emanated dark energy so strong that it appeared that it was undead to Eliel's simple cantrip. That would merely mean that Rith would have less to worry about from the creature.

Rith withdrew from Eliel's mind, letting his ingenious spell inform him of Eliel's thoughts. He couldn't think of anything important to probe for in the elf's mind. The elf after all didn't strike that much interest in Rith aside from the fact that the elf had psychic powers, though minimal.

Eleil was left behind, confused and agitated. The creature had just walked away, Not even bothering to invite him along, only to rub into eliel's face his small experience and inability to decipher the gates. He could have taken it, had the thig not just turned around and walked off.

Eliel fumed, standing in the hall. Mind made up, he strode throught the gates, stopping briefly at the feel of the enchantment, and walked into the darkness. His infravision showed him much, but not as much as he needed to be comfortable.

He felt the spell withdraw from his mind, leaving him without even a link to speak with him. Staring around the caverns, he cast a detect undead spell, to try and find the creature. A faint essence of darkness pulsated from behind a wall nearby.

Except there was no obvious path to follow. Cursing his inexperience, he looked to the ground. He immediately spotted a neat set of pawprints in the fine layer of dust from the cavern. On a gut instinct, he followed them, hoping to high heaven that they were the prints of the worg from earlier, and not some other beast.

So the elf decided to neither answer the question, nor follow, or at least not immediately. Chances were in favor of him following after he thought Rith was too far away to notice. Rith left Terror to deal with the Elf, and the dark wisp was pleased to have a task that would give him the chance to deliver a good surprise. The purple light winked out as Terror turned invisible and waited for the elf to find come by. Rith and Torment strode forward, ready for anything that would come at them. Rith wondered if he should have waited until the door closed before proceeding forth, but it didn’t seem to matter. The monster dwelling had to be deeper in for the doorway to have been built and sealed safely. And anyone attempting to follow would soon be locked inside when Rith’s magic upon the door faded, and that would be happening soon enough.

Rith was quite fairly annoyed when he came up to an area where the mine branched off. This search could take longer than Rith had hoped. Perhaps Misery should have been brought as well. If need be he could always summon help, but he doubted that would be necessary. Rith continued down the middle path which was considerably larger than the others as it was in fact the main tunnel. When the walls and columns got less decorative he would knew he was closer, but for now the walls seemed no less ornate than the area near the doors.

The invisible Terror followed the elf as the elf came by. When the elf made it to the junction, Terror decided it was about time he surprised the elf. The dark wisp erupted into life spontaneously in front of the elf hoping to scare the wits out of the creature as he made himself visible. Terror appeared as a dark purple flame that seemed to be partially blocked by a floating invisible head, with the flame only being visible through carved eyes and a mouth identical to the bizarre form that Rith was in. “I’d advise you to answer my question elf, but of course if you don’t value your life then my all means continue your march in to the maw of death. And It’s certainly too late to turn back,” Rith’s icy voice said from purple flame. Shortly after Rith's voice silenced, the ground trembled lightly as the magic holding the door faded and trapped the elf in the cavern.

"Tell me Eliel why do you seek so badly see a creature that could deal with you as if you were naught but a feeble insect?" Rith's voice repeated from the dark flame.

Eliel took several steps backwards, as the image startled him. Hearing out Rith's demand, he answered back quite angrily. "I wish to go on to prove to myself that it is possible to have a mastery over the dark magics, through the use of the magic itself or through sheer force and trickery. Now i ask you. What are your reasons for continuing this quest to find this immensly-powerful beast, as you say?" Elel demanded. He awaited his answer patiently, as he had no other course of action until this matter was settled.

After all, the way was clear: continue or die waiting here. surely this being could be a powerful ally, as well as a dangerous foe. he was not very trusting in these matters, always most suspicious of those closest to him. If he was successful in this, he would come out of this cave more powerful and confident than ever before. In losing, there was only death. He had chosen his path and stood by it rigorously.

(so short... but getting better!)

Terror was most pleased to have caught the elf off guard. The elf answered quickly, but probably too quickly. His answer not only seemed to evade the question, but also showing his anger so openly was quite unwise, but less than demanding an answer of Rith. Rith opted to consider looking past these notably flaws for the moment. The elf wasn't a thing of particular intrest, but there was potential. He would just need a great deal of molding.

"Save your anger, it may later save you if you use it at the right time and in the right way. While your words failed to answer the question, I have heard enough to discern that I am what you seek. I can teach you that which you wish to learn, but as my apprentice you will serve me and follow my instructions dutifully. A small price for all that I have to offer. Does this intrest you?" Rith's voice replied. Rith had purposely avoided answering Eliel's question, if the elf chose to become his apprentice he could answer the question later, but for now, Eliel simply didn't need to know.

"Do follow while you think on your answer, you have a bit of catching up to do," Rith's voice instructed as the purple light moved purposely in Rith's direction. Rith and Torment paused waiting for Eliel and Terror to catch up.

Eliel followed the Wisp, who lead the path with purple light, thinking of Rith's offer. indeed, Rith could offer much of what Eliel wished to know, and then some. Even the worg seemed so much more than it appeared. The worg was last in Eliel's list of thoughts, however. The offer was tremendously enticing. Curiosity was his weakness, and Eliel caved in. As the wisp found Rith, eliel approached, eyeing Torment as he approached.

Besides, Eliel wished an alliance, did he not? "I will accept your generous offer, master. Now, if i am not mistaken, i do believe you did not share your name, if you would tell." Eliel respnded, a feeling of respect in his voice now, replacing the anger. What good would being angry here do? most likely cloud his thoughts and get him killed.

Eliel eyed his new master curiously, black orbs swiveling to take in his familiars. The gold flecks glinted hauntingly with the wisps purple light.

Yes, he had chosen well.

(Do know note that He will need an immediate change to a non-chaotic alignment. Rith isn't dealing with the chaotic types. Optimal alignments are lawful neutral and lawful evil, but progression there can be gradual seeing as Eliel started off with a chaotic alignment. Yay, Discipline!)

Rith was pleased to hear Eliel accept his offer. Even in his strange childish form he was noted as a worthy master. There was no way the elf could be lying to him. Rith would know thanks to his clever enchantment. Aside from that Rith was slightly skilled in telling when people were not telling the truth from watching body language. It was a skill he intended to build upon later to break into minds impervious to even his magic.

"Good, choice. You are not mistaken, as I have yet to give you my name. I am Rith, You will refer to me as Lord Rith unless I intruct you call me by another name. We will consider your survival of these caverns as ample enough of a test for you to become my apprentice," Rith replied the coldness in his childish voice gone.

Torment ears perked up as the worg heard something, it seemed as though something was coming their way, or rather somethings. It was too light to be the large beast. Spawn perhaps? "Ready, yourself. This test seems as though it it about to officially start soon. Let's get moving," Rith said as he began to walk foward. There was no sense in waiting for whatever it was to get to them first. Little did Rith know Eliel was partially correct. There were undead down here, but it was not the beast. Undead dwarves haunted the caverns. Five dwarves were now visible in the distance. They were only mildly decayed which didn't make sense with the hundreds of years that they would have been sealed in these caverns. Each dwarf was equiped with an axe or pickaxe and a chainmail protected their bodies. The weapons were rusted from their years of neglect.

Terror spiraled to the ground and erupted into the form of a hound wreathed in purple flames, in fact it seemed to be composed of them. Most of Rith's magic was ineffective againt undead, but his pets weren't quite so limited. The dwarves had spotted them and charged with speed uncommon amongst zombies. "I beleive it begins now," Rith mused.

Eliel smiled as he watched the ragged band of the undead dwarves stagger towards them. 'this would be easier if Gwen were here.' eliel thought to himself, longing for his Panther companion. Torment dove ahead, and Eliel followed in close pursuit. The first dwarven victim was a pickaxe wielder, mail and axe rusted by time. It dove at him, stumbling on a broken shin. scoffing, Eliel was highly amused at the first 'test'. Eliel dove from the shadows, slashing and tearing at the helpless, rotting body.

The dwarf fell, pickaxe clanging on the ground. Eliel dove in low towards an axe-wielder, seizing the handle of the axe and coming in close enough to smell it's rotten breath. Nearly gagging, Eliel steeled himself and drew up his dagger, seperating the head. He realized too late how the undead body works. the corpse continues it's duty, whether it be guarding the halls, or to eliminate an enemy, until the corpse is no longer able to perform it's task.

Eliel siezed the axe and slashed into the corpse, adding weight to the already unbalanced body. It fell, becoming victim to a falling ally whose weight crushed bones. He stepped over the body, paying no attention to the bruise on his side caused by the first victim.

The slaughter ended fairly quickly, between Rith's pets and Eliel. Eliel walked up to Rith, an amused smile on his face. "Quite the warm up, Lord Rith. I do seem to have suffered a wound, a hindrance as it may be." he placed a hand on his side, just above his hip. With a grin, he sheathed his dagger, but left the claws extended just in case more dwarves showed up too soon.

(Random note: Daggers are long enough to sever heads)
Rith stood motionless as he studied the attacking dwarves. The dark energy that surrounded them and kept them animated seemed to be strong enough to actually stop their decay. Many necromancers knew many persevatives, but Rith doubted any this good. This likely wasn't the work of some necromancer that had found his way in. That meant that the beast had nercomantic powers of some sort. It could even be a powerful Lich. The dwarves were of course unable to come close enough to strkie Rith between the efforts of Terror and Torment. Terror and Torement found no joy in the fight, unlike most opponents they faced undead knew neither fear nor pain. Torment still found liking to the sound of bones snapping audibley under the force of his jaws, though it was quite the let down to not sense excruciating pain from those whose bones he broke.

Rith surveyed Eliel and his small wound. There was no sign of any cut so it had to be a bruise. It couldn't possiblely be anything deadly or needing immediate attention. Eliel would have to do a better job at defending himself as there were much more undead dwarves to fight off if Rith was correct. Nearly every dwarf the beast came across if Rith's guess was correct. "Be more careful, then. I do beleive this are only going to keep heating up from here. I estimate that that was probably only a small glimpse of what stands before us," Rith explained before continuing on foward. Hopefully the undead weren't all scattered across the main passage. Rith would like to avoid the majority of them, they only slowed him down and had nothing to offer him, his pets, or even his new apprentice.

(Bleck! next post will be better.*blames headache*)

Eliel nodded his head. Looking down the long passageway, he watched the dwarves wander about the passages. Their dark forms seemed chilling, lingering around these soundless tunnels. Something about them made Eliel wonder just how long they had been down here, searching for intruders, or an early release from their eternal service to whatever beast lay at the end of the road.

Eliel wished once again that he had brought along his cat, but she was safer in the hands of the dark elf entrusted. Surely she could make the trip a bit more bearable.

Turning to Rith, he spoke. "Lord Rith, after you. I have not a clue as to the exact whearabouts of the beast." He twisted two fingers to his stomach and lowered a bit, a personal bow.

(too short. but you leave me with nothing to go on. XP)

Rith walked up to one of the fallen corpses. He crouched down and laid his hand upon it. Rith didn't know exactly where the beast was either, but unlike Eliel he knew how to find out. "Normally tracing back magical energy is difficult, but the energy that animated these dwarves is quite strong," Rith explained as a wispy thread of darkness stemmed from the corpse. As it snaked into the air it began to slowly make its way down the corridor. "The spell I used is simple, but extremely difficult to master, though I must admit the spell itself has nothing to do with dark magic. I shall teach more of such things at a more appropriate time," Rith continued before standing up again.

They were able to follow it for several minutes without incident. They were close to their target now. They were also very close to a full scale ambush. Rith could sense the strong presence of dark energy. It was either the beast or likely much more zombies. Rith paused when they reached a four-way intersection. Further on the path was not as well decorated as the rest of the main hallway and it was clear that they were nearing the end of the work of the dwarves. “It seems our host has prepared a trap for us. I don’t think our new batch of company will be dealt so easily as the last,” Rith warned. Seconds later dwarves could be seen filing out from every direction but behind then. Their numbers were far too many to get a good guess and it seemed that there was no end.

“We will press onward, just make sure you keep with me,” Rith said before moving forward. Torment shifted into the form of a large Cerberus and took to the right tunnel and Terror took the right tunnel, leaving Rith and Eliel to handle the tunnel before them. Rith waved his hand before him and a firey bird appeared in front of him. It'd be enough to get movent through the waves of dwarves, but aside from a few more summons there was little Rith could do against the undead. Hopefully the same didn't hold true of the beast, but the Ebon golem would likely be enough to make short work of it. At least eliel would prove far more useful in this mission than formerly thought.

(>.< gah, next post will be better.)

(sorry, 'bout that and freaking taking forever minus a day to post.)
Rith walked up to one of the fallen corpses. He crouched down and laid his hand upon it. Rith didn't know exactly where the beast was either, but unlike Eliel he knew how to find out. "Normally tracing back magical energy is difficult, but the energy that animated these dwarves is quite strong," Rith explained as a wispy thread of darkness stemmed from the corpse. As it snaked into the air it began to slowly make its way down the corridor. "The spell I used is simple, but extremely difficult to master, though I must admit the spell itself has nothing to do with dark magic. I shall teach more of such things at a more appropriate time," Rith continued before standing up again.

They were able to follow it for several minutes without incident. They were close to their target now. They were also very close to a full scale ambush. Rith could sense the strong presence of dark energy. It was either the beast or likely much more zombies. Rith paused when they reached a four-way intersection. Further on the path was not as well decorated as the rest of the main hallway and it was clear that they were nearing the end of the work of the dwarves. “It seems our host has prepared a trap for us. I don’t think our new batch of company will be dealt so easily as the last,” Rith warned. Seconds later dwarves could be seen filing out from every direction but behind then. Their numbers were far too many to get a good guess and it seemed that there was no end.

“We will press onward, just make sure you keep with me,” Rith said before moving forward. Torment shifted into the form of a large Cerberus and took to the right tunnel and Terror took the right tunnel, leaving Rith and Eliel to handle the tunnel before them. Rith waved his hand before him and a firey bird appeared in front of him. It'd be enough to get movent through the waves of dwarves, but aside from a few more summons there was little Rith could do against the undead. Hopefully the same didn't hold true of the beast, but the Ebon golem would likely be enough to make short work of it. At least eliel would prove far more useful in this mission than formerly thought.

(>.< gah, next post will be better.)

Eyeing the dwarves with growing anticipation, eliel reached down to the wand at his side. the black wood felt cold and smooth under his fingertips. He felt himself sink into the arcane magics, searching for the spell he wanted. He found it and felt a grin spread across his face.

Looking over the crowd of dwarven corpses, he reveled in the battle to come. His wand was ready at his side. His claws extended and he readied himself. There could be no hesitation here. With hardly a thought, he dove into the stream of corpses, slashing and hacking, parrying their slow, sloppy swings of axe and pickaxe. He gauntlets' properties helped greatly, indestructability allowing him to bat the weapons away as he would a fly.

Several corpses had fallen before His footing slid on a dropped axe. He fell to his back hard, aware only of the dwarf in front of him. It's rusted axe was raised high above it's head. Eliel pulled out his wand and let loose the spell he had readied. A black crackling enervation bolt struck the corpse dead-center of the chest as it's axe came to it's peak. A hole was torn into the dead flesh, throwing back the dwarven body.

Rushing to his feet, he retreated to his master to regain his composure. "Overkill?" he asked, twirling the black wand in his fingers.

(the next post shouldn't take me an age and a half to post. Sorry for the delay.)
The fiery bird forged a path through the seemingly endless sea of dwarves, swooping down upon them and knocking them aside while tearing into them with sharp claws that hid within blazing embers. Making progress was made less difficult, but there was still a swarm of dwarves to be dealt with. It would likely get no better when they got to the beast. Rith minimally attempted to dodge the influx of attacks towards, but even though he failed to evade passed right through him and only succeeded in distorting his image for a moment as it if it was naught smoke disturbed by a swift wind, before the strange vapors righted themselves in a solid seeming stated. Rith was concentrating on his ebon Golem so that he could end things quickly when they got to the beast. Killing it would probably destroy the undead as well, and if not Rith had plenty of ways for all of them to make a quick escape, given that Eliel stayed alive.

Rith was tempted to help Eliel when the elf fell down, but made no move to do so. This was a test; after all, Rith had to at least be sure that the elf could handle the trouble that he got himself into. Despite the mob of dwarves about them, there was still room enough form Eliel to recover, and the drow took good use of it. “Technically, yes but at the same time no. Undead feed off of dark energy such as the deadly spell you cast. Despite knocking the dwarf back and leaving a hole in it, you have made it stronger; however, we are mostly concenred with getting through them than destorying them,” Rith answered as they hurried along the path that the bird had made before the dwarves could close it with their numbers.

It seemed like they had almost reached the end of the mob of Dwarves. After they broke through they could fight the dwarves off on one side instead of all sides, but there was also the matter of the beast that was quite close. Even, so fighting on two sides was far better than being completely surrounded. After completing the path for their exit the flaming the fiery bird flew onward to see what awaited them around the empty bend ahead. As soon as the bird began to turn a huge ebon flame flared from the unexplored region and consumed the bird. Moments later the flame vanished leaving no hint the fiery bird had ever existed. The display of the beast’s power was great, proving that the dwarves that sought to destroy were in no way equipped to do so. Eliel, indeed didn’t stand a chance against something with that kind of dark power. Rith’s shell and the body of his golem however were immune to such power and would likely only have to be bothered with the creature’s physical strength.

“I suggest you hold off the dwarves here, I don’t think you would be in better shape than dwarves if that beast’s flame gets to you. Torment should be coming back to assist you soon,” Rith said once they finally managed to break free from the sea of dwarves. Without looking back Rith continued foward as he began summoning the Ebon golem, creating a black growing portal beneath him, that seemed to follow him as he moved.

All in good form, he made a note of the spell's effect, still feeling giddy from the constant flow of adrenaline, a remnant of the overall surprise of such an offensive force. The feeling was quite different from his average composure, not at all alike to his personality. The realization of such overwhelming odds began to sink in, as Rith floated further away. He realized how much he had been relying on his new master's presence, not so much for assistance as for the sheer knowledge that he was not alone.

Eliel regained himself, reminding himself of who he was. He let the adrenaline be recognized for what it was, fear. His mind, attempting to convince itself that this wasn't happening. Instead of denying it, he embraced the feeling, letting it sharpen his senses. He quit relying on the presence of others, quit depending on his darker magics to forge an easier path.

An immediate change appeared in his posture, becoming colder and silent, waiting for the oncoming horde. The first blow struck, a blacksmith's mallet sweeping toward Eliel's side. In one quick motion, he sliced the handle in half, rendering the makeshift weapon useless. His other, unoccupied hand disemboweling the corpse.

Without bothering to check if the wound was a fatality, he turned to the next opponent. A greenish hue formed a humanoid shape. the ghost took a swipe at him, the faint hand seeming to take away part of his very soul. Adjusting to the situation, he drew his newest addition to his arsenal, an enchanted dagger designed specifically for such an occasion. He slashed out at the wraith, drawing a wound. Ectoplasm leaked like blood from a living creature.

All the while, his goal stayed in mind, to keep the horde at bay until his master signalled an effective offense was ready.

Rith didn’t like the idea of leaving Eliel to fend for him against the alarming odds, test or not. Prehaps he should have had a summoned creature accompany him, but now was a bit late for that. He’d just make sure he bested the beast swiftly, besides Torment would be with him soon to make sure the elf did not make any fatal mistakes or get too overwhelmed by the mass of zombies. Eliel wasn’t without skills and should be able to last at least long enough for Torment to come.

Rith sensed a growing dark presence as he neared the point where his phoenix had faded into nothingness. This would be perfect. This soul was just what he needed, as he had expected. When Rith rounded the corner he caught sight of the strange beast. It seemed akin to a dragon as it was covered in black scales, yet the creature’s head seemed more like mole-like and it didn’t have the elongated neck typical of dragons. Feral teeth lined its mouth and broad whiskers came out from his snout. It was about as large as most mature dragons, yet it also lacked a tail as well as horns. Rith could sense the presence of an ancient intelligence within the creature, but neither of them seemed in the mood for negotiations. Neither would settle for anything less than the other dead. The beast only allowed Rith to get a brief glance at the creature before spewing forth a dark flame from his mouth. Rith was shielded by the hands of the ebon golem that steadily rose beneath his feet. Rith stood unharmed at the top of the rising golem’s head. The golem stood equally unharmed after the beast could hold its flame no longer, however; the beast wasted no time in dismay before lunging towards the golem with its elongated thick claws. Rith moved as if to catch the beast with a swift swing of his fist and the golem followed his every movement. The punch caught the beast square in on the side of its head causing the creature to veer off into the wall and creating a loud crash that echoed throughout the tunnels. Hopefully the earthen ceiling would hold through this battle. The force of their collision caused the golem to stagger backwards slightly. The beast recovered quickly and was back on its feet before Rith could follow through with his attack. The beast lunged forward again, though this time Rith failed to properly intercept and deter the beast and the golem was driven back into back into the cavern wall resulting in another boom, even louder than the first. Atop the golem’s head Rith’s balance seemed undisturbed. The beast tried to take advantage of its position by biting into the golem with its powerful jaws, but under Rith’s direction the ebon golem’s hands gripped the top and bottom parts of the beast’s mouth and kept it from closing. Applying more force, slowly the mouth was parted wider. The beast released its shrill protesting cry into the air, but it availed it none. When the beast finally came to the glorious moment where it saw it had lost this battle and would fight no more, fear gripped it, widened the creature’s eyes in horror and summoned forth a final piercing scream. The scream was soon ended as the sickening cracking of bone resounded though the air. It was then that the creature’s final breath, its very soul, drifted from the body and was sucked into a dark gem that floated before Rith.

Torment did indeed join Eliel as Rith had claimed he would. The large worg’s body formed from a black mist that passed through the dwarven legion shortly after Eliel slashed at the wraith with his magical dagger. Torment gave no greeting to Eliel and saved his greetings for the dwarves that swarmed their way. Sounds from Rith’s fight could not be missed and echoed along the corridor. The ground even shook their slamming against walls, though there seemed to be no signs of the tunnel beginning to collapse. Once the beast had passed away, the dwarves stopped dead in their tracks and slumped to the ground. Torment swiftly ran down the tunnel to his master and the shadow wisp with its eerie light caught up with it own fast pace. Rith waited for his new found apprentice at the feet of his large Ebon golem.

Eliel nodded towards the warg, not bothering in the least to show any signs of thanks or greeting, only to move slightly to the side to allow the beast a fair path. He did not let his mind stray from the task at hand, not even letting such a thought to enter his mind. His mind focused on battle overall, focus points being on where the vitals were, and where to place his next attack.

His hands wove in and out, one hand going for a neck, the other parrying clumsy swings of pickaxe, battle ax, or other forms of weaponry. Eliel's eyes lit up, in the flurry of combat. He laughed open heartedly, enjoying the damage being inflicted. He hardly noticed the few minor wounds he received, nearly unable to distinguish friend from foe. Fatigue began to take it's toll on him, and his movements slowed.

Nearly defeated, Eliel heard a deafening screech, most definitely not from the chest from any man. The dwarves and wraiths stopped and fell where they stood, bodies limp, ghostly forms dissipating. In wonder, he made sure no enemies remained and turned to his master. An enormous beast lay near him, an ebon golem standing by his master. His master was waiting. He sheathed his blades and retracted the steely claws of his enchanted gauntlets. He walked up to Rith and gave a bow, one of few signs of respect given by him. He observed the beast and smiled faintly.

“Quite a catch we have here, Master.” He was on the verge of chuckling, but thought better of it. He had been sure before he would not survive the tunnels. Yet here he stood with a new, powerful being to help him along his path. Oh, it would be an interesting journey indeed.

Kyrus saw a shape moving up ahead and he thought he recognized it, as he drew closer a smile came over his face as he recognized the finger as none other than his good friend Eliel. He called to him "Eliel my friend? Is that you?" he asked and waited for a response. Kyrus' cat, Samson, hearing the sound of his master's voice and the familiar name meowed loudly into the dark and swished his furry tail as he sat in Kyrus' backpack and looked about curiously. Kyrus quickly caught up to Eliel and smiled him, shaking his hand in greeting "I thought it was you Eliel, how have you been my friend? I have not seen you for awhile which is mostly my fault as I have been busy in Imythess."