As Zavet, Talich, Runner, and Gauge journeyed through the desolate lands toward Nuri'fon, the atmosphere was thick with the stench of decay. The skies were overcast, casting a gloomy pall over the landscape. Despite the occasional groans and shuffles of undead creatures, the group moved unhindered. Mah’nethotep's ritual, which cloaked them in an aura of undeath, made the mindless zombies perceive them as kin, allowing them safe passage through the hordes.

  After several hours of travel, the ancient walls of Nuri’fon loomed on the horizon, their dark silhouettes stark against the gray sky. Gauge abruptly halted the group, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any immediate threats. Satisfied that they were momentarily safe, he spoke up. "Wait. Let me message Lina to see where they are."

  With practiced precision, Gauge knelt and traced a large circle in the dirt, carefully inscribing it with arcane runes. As he completed the ritual setup, the air seemed to hum with latent energy. Settling himself within the circle, he unfurled a scroll and began writing:

  Baroness Lina, this is Gauge. I have Zavet, Talich, and Runner. Where do we need to go?

  The tension was palpable as they waited for a response, but after a few moments, the scroll instantly ignited, burning to ash. Gauge’s brow furrowed in concern. Without wasting any time, he pulled out another scroll, hastily scribbling a new message:

  Your Majesty Merlot, this is Gauge. Where was Krimlond sent to? My baroness is not replying to my messages.

  This time, the response was swift, the scroll glowing briefly before revealing its reply:

  Hello Gauge, they were headed to their Embassy. I will be sending a unit of soldiers to aid you. We have reclaimed Solond, best of luck.

  Gauge took a breath he hadn't realized he was holding and looked up at the group. "Okay, so this may have turned into a rescue mission."

  Talich, ever the pragmatic warrior, shrugged and adjusted the grip on his mace. "Well, let's not keep them waiting. Runner, go ahead of us and scout out the keep. Report back as soon as possible."

  Runner nodded, his expression serious. He took off briskly, his form quickly melding with the shadows as he moved silently through the terrain. The remaining trio watched him go, the gravity of their mission sinking in.

  The journey to the keep was fraught with tension. The once vibrant city of Nuri'fon now stood as a grim reminder of the necromantic scourge that had befallen the land. Broken gates and crumbling walls hinted at fierce battles fought and lost. As they drew closer, the eerie silence was broken only by the occasional distant wail of a tormented soul.

  Talich's hand rested lightly on the hilt of his mace, his eyes constantly scanning their surroundings. Zavet moved with a determined stride, his mind focused on the task. Having completed the messaging ritual, Gauge now led the way with cautious optimism.

  After what felt like an eternity, Runner reappeared out of the shadows as silently as he had left. "The keep is heavily guarded by undead," he reported. "There are signs of a struggle, but I did not get a good look at the undead inside the keep. "

  Talich nodded. "Then we proceed with caution. Let's find Krimlond and get them out safely."

  The group moved forward, each step bringing them closer to the heart of the danger. As they approached the Embassy gates, the group stood before the massive iron structure, rusted and partially broken yet still imposing. An assortment of undead creatures now surrounded the once grand entrance, their lifeless eyes wandering. The mindless undead were no threat on their own, but in numbers, they could overwhelm even the most seasoned warriors.

  Gauge, Talich, Zavet, and Runner moved with purpose, the aura of undeath still masking their presence. The undead paid them no mind, treating them as fellow wanderers of the night. Talich signaled for the group to halt just short of the gates, his eyes narrowing as he assessed their targets.

  "The stronger ones first," Talich whispered, his voice barely audible. "Take them out quietly."

  Gauge nodded and drew upon his healing magic, his hands glowing with a soft, purifying light. Talich hefted his two maces, their spiked heads ready to crush bone. Zavet, with his dagger in hand, flexed his tail, which shimmered with an enchantment that made it as sharp as a sword. Runner readied his massive two-handed sword, the blade gleaming ominously.

  Talich was the first to strike. With a fluid motion, he stepped behind a hulking undead knight, its rusted armor clanking softly as it shambled. With a swift and brutal swing, Talich brought both maces down on the knight's head, crushing its skull with a sickening crunch. The knight crumpled silently to the ground, its death unnoticed by its brethren.

  Gauge moved next, his steps light and precise. He approached a particularly large zombie that seemed to command a small group of lesser undead. He channeled his healing magic into the zombie, placing his glowing hands on it. The zombie writhed and convulsed as the magic purified its corrupted flesh, causing it to disintegrate into dust. The surrounding undead remained oblivious.

  Runner took his cue, his powerful frame moving with surprising agility for someone wielding such a massive weapon. He approached an undead archer perched on the gate's remains. With a mighty swing, he cleaved through the archer, the force of the blow sending the creature's upper body flying. Runner was already on the move, bringing his sword down on another strong undead, slicing through it with ease.

  Zavet, advancing on a skeletal mage hovering near the gates, moved with deadly precision. With a swift thrust, he drove his dagger through the ribcage and into the spine, shattering the bones with a sickening crunch. Simultaneously, his tail lashed out, slicing through another undead's neck, its head rolling away as the body collapsed. The skeletal mage disintegrated into a pile of bones and dust.

  With the stronger undead dispatched, the group turned their attention to the weaker ones. Talich led the charge, his maces swinging in wide arcs, crushing through zombies and skeletons with practiced ease. Each strike was calculated, and every movement was efficient and deadly.

  Gauge moved like a shadow, his healing magic proving deadly against the undead. Each touch caused the creatures to dissolve, the purifying light erasing their corrupted existence.

  Runner's two-handed sword whirled through the air, slicing through decayed flesh and brittle bone. He moved with a predator's grace, his eyes sharp and focused as he dispatched one undead after another.

  Zavet fought with a ferocity that matched his companions. His dagger darted and stabbed, finding the weak points in the undead's decaying bodies, while his tail struck with the speed and precision of a seasoned warrior. A burst of red light accompanied each strike, Mah’nethotep’s protective magic enhancing his attacks.

  The Embassy gates, once a formidable barrier, were now surrounded by the remains of the undead. The group stood amidst the carnage, their breathing heavy but their resolve unshaken. They had reclaimed the entrance, but the real challenge lay within the Embassy itself.

  Talich wiped the blood and grime from his maces, his eyes meeting those of his companions. "Let's move. Lina and the others may be undead inside. Stay sharp."

  As they surveyed the carnage around the Embassy gates, Zavet turned to Talich; concern etched on his face. "You think they got turned undead?"

  Talich's expression was grim as he nodded. "It's possible. We need to be prepared for anything."

  Taking point, Talich led the group toward the keep's entrance. The heavy wooden doors, once a symbol of strength and security, now hung ajar, creaking ominously as they pushed them open. Inside, the scene was even more chaotic.

  The interior of the keep was a stark contrast to its grim exterior. It was decorated in a manner that suggested a history of piracy. Nautical maps adorned the walls, alongside tattered pirate flags and maritime relics. Shelves lined with dusty bottles of rum and old treasure chests added to the atmosphere, giving the impression that a band of marauding seafarers had taken over the keep at some point in its past.

  But what caught their attention were the golems—or rather, what remained of them. Once formidable granite golems, the keep guardians lay in heaps of shattered armor and broken stones. Their once imposing forms, designed to protect the keep from any intruders, were reduced to lifeless rubble.

  "Damn," Gauge muttered, his eyes scanning the wreckage. "My granite golems are a pile of lifeless stone now. Those were so expensive. There’s something big inside if they could kill those guys."

  Talich knelt beside one of the fallen golems, inspecting the damage. "These golems were powerful. Whatever did this has considerable strength and skill."

  Runner stood in the doorway, his massive sword ready. "We need to find Lina and the others quickly. They could be in serious trouble if whatever did this is still here."

  Gauge nodded, his hands glowing faintly lit as he prepared his healing magic. "Stay close and watch each other’s backs. We don't know what we're dealing with yet."

  The group moved deeper into the keep, their senses on high alert. The pirate-themed decor seemed almost surreal against the backdrop of destruction. Broken furniture and scattered treasures littered the floors, and the flickering torches cast eerie shadows on the walls.

  Talich led them through the main hall, their footsteps echoing in the vast space. They passed by rooms filled with more pirate memorabilia—rusty cutlasses, ornate pistols, and faded portraits of notorious pirate captains. It was clear that whoever had once inhabited this place had a penchant for pirate life.

  As they ventured further, the sense of foreboding grew stronger. The air was thick with the scent of decay, and distant, unsettling noises occasionally broke the silence. The group remained vigilant, their weapons ready for whatever they might encounter.

  Suddenly, they heard a faint sound, like a whisper in the wind. Zavet signaled for them to stop, his keen ears picking up the noise. "Did you hear that?"

  Talich nodded, gripping his maces tighter. "Sounds like it’s coming from ahead. Stay sharp."

  They moved cautiously, the tension palpable. As they turned a corner, they found themselves in a large chamber. At the far end, a grand staircase led up to the higher levels of the keep. But what drew their attention was the figure standing at the base of the stairs.

  It was a death knight, its eyes glowing with a malevolent red light. Unlike the mindless zombies outside, this creature exuded intelligence and purpose. It was clad in dark, tarnished armor, and a heavy sword hung from its belt.

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  Talich stepped forward, his voice steady but firm. "Who are you, and what have you done with the inhabitants of this keep?"

  The death knight regarded them with a cold, calculating gaze. "You seek the living? They are beyond your reach. This keep belongs to the undead now."

  With that, the knight drew its sword, the sound of metal scraping against metal echoing through the chamber. The group readied their weapons and prepared for the battle ahead.

  As the undead knight drew its sword, its eyes glowed red with a malevolent light. Gauge turned to Talich, anxiety evident in his voice. “How do we fight this guy, Talich?”

  Talich's expression hardened as he assessed the situation. Without a word, he reached into his cloak and pulled out a weapon that immediately drew the attention of his companions. It was a flail, its heavy spiked head gleaming with an otherworldly light. This was no ordinary weapon—it was the Sanctifier, one of the kingdom's most revered artifacts. Gauge recognized it instantly, but he kept that knowledge to himself, understanding the significance of its presence here.

  “We work as a team,” Talich said, calm but commanding. “Gauge, focus on healing Runner. Zavet and I will keep its focus.”

  Talich began to spin the Sanctifier in his hand, the chain rattling ominously as the spiked head whirled through the air. Zavet nodded, tightening his grip on his dagger, his tail poised and ready to strike. Runner, his massive two-handed sword at the ready, set his jaw in determination.

  With a unified battle cry, Zavet, Runner, and Talich charged at the undead knight. Runner, using his incredible strength and agility, leaped into the air, bringing his massive sword down in a wide, arcing swing aimed at the knight's head. At the exact moment, Zavet darted low, his lithe form slipping beneath the knight’s legs. With a swift motion, he coiled his tail around one of the knight’s armored legs and yanked hard.

  The undead knight, caught off guard by the dual attack, lost its balance and fell to one knee with a resounding crash. Runner's sword strike hit its mark, the blade biting deep into the knight's shoulder. But instead of crumbling under the blow, the knight seemed to absorb the attack, its resilience far beyond that of a typical undead. The impact, while significant, only did half the damage that Runner had intended, the knight’s unnatural endurance shielding it from the full force of the strike.

  Talich watched as Zavet and Runner executed their attacks with precision. He saw his opportunity as they began to retreat, creating an opening. With a practiced movement, Talich swung the Sanctifier in a deadly arc. The flail's spiked head connected with the knight's armor, and the Sanctifier lived up to its name. The force of the impact decimated the armor, leaving a gaping hole in the knight’s chest. A burst of healing magic erupted from the flail, the holy light searing the knight’s undead flesh, causing it to stagger back, hissing in pain and fury.

  The undead knight glared at the flail, recognizing the threat it posed. It took a more serious stance, its sword raised defensively, waiting for their next move.

  But the death knight acted with terrifying speed before Talich could give the order to press the attack. It lunged at Runner, its sword flashing with deadly intent. Runner raised his sword to block, but the knight's strength was overwhelming. With a swift and brutal motion, the knight bypassed Runner’s guard and drove its sword through his chest. The blade pierced through the armor and flesh, emerging from Runner’s back in a spray of blood.

  “Runner!” Zavet shouted, his voice filled with shock and rage.

  The undead knight twisted the blade viciously before withdrawing it, and Runner fell to his knees, gasping as blood poured from the fatal wound. Gauge, who had been preparing to heal, rushed forward, his hands glowing with healing magic, but it was too late. The light in Runner’s eyes dimmed, and he collapsed with a final shuddering breath.

  Talich’s grip tightened on the Sanctifier, his eyes blazing with fury. Zavet let out a feral growl as he charged at the knight again, his tail whipping like a living weapon, aiming for the knight’s vulnerable points. But the death knight was ready this time, its movements more calculated, more deadly.

  The battle had taken a deadly turn, and now, with the loss of Runner, the stakes had become even higher. Talich knew they had to end this fight quickly before more of them fell.

  “Stay focused!” Talich barked, rallying Zavet and Gauge.

  With renewed determination, the remaining three prepared to unleash everything they had on the death knight.

  Gauge’s mind raced as he saw Runner fall, blood pooling around his lifeless body. The situation was dire, but Gauge wasn’t ready to give up on his comrade. Summoning all the power within him, he focused on the most potent healing spell he knew—one that could defy death.

  With a determined shout, Gauge raised his hands, which now glowed with an intense, silvery light. “By the Moon of Life, I revive you!” he incanted, the ancient words reverberating through the chamber.

  A radiant beam of moonlight descended from above, bathing Runner’s body in its ethereal glow. For a moment, everything stood still, the air thick with anticipation. Then, with a sharp gasp, Runner’s chest heaved as life surged back into him. His eyes flickered open, and he pushed himself to his feet, the wound in his chest sealing as if it had never been.

  Runner stood, breathing heavily but alive, his eyes widening as he took in the scene before him. Talich and Zavet were locked in a relentless battle with the death knight, their strikes swift and precise, but the undead warrior was formidable. The knight dodged and blocked every attack with unnerving skill, its sword moving with a speed and precision that belied its decayed form.

  Without hesitation, Runner darted forward to rejoin the fight. He knew his attacks alone might not be enough to harm the knight significantly, but he could disrupt its defenses, creating openings for Talich and Zavet to exploit. His massive sword flashed through the air, targeting the knight’s sword arm to prevent it from parrying Talich’s devastating strikes.

  With Runner playing interference, the dynamic of the battle shifted. The knight found itself increasingly hard-pressed to fend off the coordinated assault. Talich, wielding the Sanctifier with deadly intent, swung the flail with crushing force. Each time the spiked head connected with the knight’s armor, it unleashed healing magic that seared the undead flesh beneath, sending the knight staggering back a few feet. The damage was taking its toll, and the death knight knew it couldn’t withstand many more blows from the Sanctifier.

  Zavet moved with lethal grace. With Rumpwhip, he darted in and out and struck at the knight’s exposed joints. With Runner’s interference, they landed multiple hits, each wearing down the knight’s defenses. The flail’s explosions of healing light were weakening the knight, and it was running out of time.

  Desperate and aware that another hit from the Sanctifier could be its end, the death knight lashed out with a sudden, brutal strike. Its sword connected with the flail’s chain, wrapping around it in a tight coil. With a mighty yank, the knight tore the Sanctifier from Talich’s grasp, sending it skidding across the stone floor, far out of reach.

  Talich’s eyes widened as he realized his weapon was gone, but there was no time to retrieve it. Seeing its chance, the death knight moved in for the kill; its sword raised high, ready to deliver a fatal blow.

  But Zavet was faster. Seeing Talich disarmed and the knight poised to strike, he knew he had to act. In a last-ditch effort, he pulled out his dagger, its blade glinting ominously in the dim light. Zavet’s instincts guided his hand as he threw himself at the knight, driving the dagger deep into its chest.

  Surprisingly, the dagger pierced the knight’s armor quickly, sinking into its undead heart. The death knight froze momentarily, its glowing eyes widening in shock. Then, something extraordinary happened.

  The knight let out a final, bone-chilling scream as its body began to disintegrate, its bones turning to ash. But instead of scattering into the air, the ash swirled around Zavet, wrapping itself around his body. The swirling mass of bones and ash merged, forming a suit of armor that encased Zavet from head to toe. The once-deadly bones of the knight were now fused to him, providing both protection and a grim reminder of the battle fought.

  The chamber fell silent as the last remnants of the death knight vanished, leaving Zavet standing in the center, clad in the new armor that had emerged from the hidden power of his dagger. The armor was dark, almost black, with faint traces of silver that seemed to pulse with an eerie energy. It felt oddly natural, as if it had always been meant for him.

  Talich, still catching his breath, retrieved the Sanctifier and approached Zavet, his expression one of cautious respect. “That… was unexpected,” he said, eyeing the armor.

  Zavet looked down at himself, flexing his arms and testing the new armor. It was lightweight, yet he could feel the power coursing through it. “It seems this dagger held more secrets than I realized,” he murmured, his voice tinged with awe.

  Runner, now fully recovered and steady on his feet, clapped Zavet on the shoulder. “Well, whatever it is, it saved our hides today.”

  Gauge, who had been watching the entire scene with relief and amazement, finally relaxed. “That was close,” he said, wiping the sweat from his brow. “Let’s hope we don’t run into anything worse inside.”

  Talich nodded, his gaze shifting to the dark corridors leading deeper into the keep. “We’ll need to be on our guard. But we stand a better chance with this new armor and the Sanctifier. Let’s finish this.”

  The group ascended the grand staircase of the keep, its wide steps lined with faded banners and tarnished relics of battles long past. The air grew colder as they climbed, a subtle reminder that the heart of the keep held darker secrets than they had yet encountered. At the top, Gauge took the lead, his keen sense of direction guiding them to the left.

  “This way,” Gauge said, motioning to a corridor lined with doors. “These lead to our private quarters. Let’s see if we can find anything useful or get some answers.”

  The group moved cautiously, their footsteps echoing through the deserted halls. The walls, adorned with cracked paintings and the occasional pirate-themed decor, bore witness to the passage of time and the chaotic ownership that had claimed the keep. As they approached the door to what had once been Gauge’s quarters, a sudden change overtook Zavet.

  The bone armor that had so dramatically enveloped him during the battle began to crumble, the once-solid plates turning to dust and drifting to the floor. Zavet looked down in surprise as the last remnants disintegrated, leaving him clad only in his usual gear.

  “Awe, no way!” Zavet exclaimed, stomping his foot in mock frustration. “The armor was temporary?”

  Talich shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “It seems so. It only lasts for a few minutes.”

  Before Zavet could reply, a sudden, sharp movement caught his attention. Gauge had turned to open the door when a shadowy figure emerged from the darkness, its movements swift and deadly. Instantly, multiple blades flashed through the air, striking Gauge with brutal precision. He gasped in pain as he was stabbed repeatedly, his blood spraying across the stone floor before the attacker dragged him into the shadows.

  “Gauge!” Runner and Zavet shouted in unison, rushing forward to help. But before they could close the distance, they were met with a barrage of vials, smashing against the ground and releasing a toxic mist that enveloped them.

  The poison worked quickly, far more potent than anything they had encountered before. Runner and Zavet staggered, their vision blurring as their bodies betrayed them. They fell to the ground, convulsing as blood began to seep from their eyes, ears, and mouths, the poison eating away at them from the inside.

  Talich, horrified by the sight of his comrades falling, narrowed his focus on the figure emerging from the shadows. It was Flynn—or rather, an undead version of the man who had once been their ally. The sight of Flynn, twisted into a mockery of his former self, filled Talich with a cold fury.

  Without hesitation, Talich charged, the Sanctifier swinging in deadly arcs as he closed the distance. Now an undead abomination, Flynn moved with unnatural speed, but Talich was relentless. He struck with precision, the Sanctifier’s holy power flaring with each impact.

  The first hit shattered Flynn’s guard, the second crushed through his corrupted armor, and the third sent Flynn crashing to the ground, the healing magic within the Sanctifier incinerating what remained of his undead flesh. Flynn’s body convulsed once, then lay still, the unholy energy animating him dissipating into the air.

  Talich didn’t waste a moment. He dropped to his knees beside Gauge’s prone form, frantically searching through the pouches on his belt. His fingers closed around a small vial—a healing potion, one of the few remaining. Talich quickly uncorked it and poured the contents down Gauge’s throat.

  For a tense moment, nothing happened. Then, Gauge’s body convulsed as the potion took effect, his wounds knitting together with unnatural speed. His eyes snapped open, and he gasped for air, the color returning to his face as the potion worked its magic.

  “Gauge, you’re alive,” Talich said, relief flooding his voice as he helped Gauge.

  Gauge, still disoriented but alive, quickly assessed the situation. Seeing Runner and Zavet still suffering from the poison, he didn’t hesitate. Channeling his healing magic, he knelt beside them, placing a hand on each chest. His magic surged through them, purging the poison from their bodies and sealing their wounds. Slowly, their breathing steadied, and they opened their eyes, free from the deadly toxin.

  “Damn,” Gauge muttered as he wiped the sweat from his brow. “Flynn almost killed us.”

  Still recovering from the ordeal, Runner looked at the remains of Flynn’s undead body. “So... the rest of them are probably undead too?”

  Gauge nodded, grim determination in his eyes. “Most likely. But that’s fine. As long as we kill their undead versions, we can resurrect them at our Embassy halls downstairs.”

  Talich, still gripping the Sanctifier, glanced at the doors leading deeper into the keep. “Then let’s finish this. We need to find the others before reinforcements come..”