The team burst out. Korr slammed a few undead in the chest with his axes, moving through and creating a whirlwind of death.
Feet behind him, Ex Vis deftly moved forward. “There are more ways to win a fight than with your hands.”
Korr looked at him, confused. Ex Vis drew his bow and fired an arrow into the corner of the room. It magically exploded—debris fell down and crushed the undead.
“This way!” Alessia called.
They sprinted, cleaning up a few skeletons that appeared, and ran into an ancient tomb.
A woman—the Queen—lay on a slab. She showed no signs of decay. Beautiful and still.
Landar noticed the water underneath them. “It’s turning black...”
Alessia shouted, “Landar, get that barrier up—now.”
Landar set up runes that would offer protection. “On it.”
Alessia nodded to Omazz. “Portal.”
Omazz pancked, “I was only supposed to help open this portal.”
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“Hope you were paying attention,” Alessia said.
Omazz rushed to the Queen’s side. “Oh right, feather!” She went to Nimbus, who groaned.
He gritted his teeth as he pulled off a feather. A pulse of energy waved through the room. Alessia watched, clocking that there were only two left.
Omazz waved the feather over the Queen’s body. Silky strands of light appeared, swirling over her. “We were supposed to have more time!”
Alessia said, “Well, you don’t. Try doing something correct for a change.”
“Alessia...” Landar said. “She just lost her mentor.”
“You’re right. I’m— Look, I saw how you handled that Ghoul when our lives were on the line. You can do this.”
Six undead closed in around them.
“I got ‘em!” Korr shouted.
“Wait,” Landar said. The barrier activated, knocking the undead back and killing them. “That oughta hold them for a while.”
Omazz got the portal opened. “I did it?” She cleared her throat. “I mean, I did it!”
“Move!” Alessia shouted.
Korr unwound a shimmering, mystical rope. “A transdimensional rope, compliments of Druveus, may he rest in peace. If anything happens to your rope—you’re stuck down there.”
He tied it off to a piece of stone next to Omazz. Each person tied the rope around themselves. As they did, the rope flickered with light and disappeared.
“Or if anything happens to it up here,” Ex Vis added.
Omazz cocked her head sideways. “I think I’ll be a little too busy with the portal to mess with your rope.”
“I was talking about the Undead monsters, ya hairless dork.”
Everyone looked around. This was it.
Alessia said, “What are you waiting for, an inspirational speech? Do your damn jobs. We’re going to go down there, find the Mad King, fix the source of the problem, and get back safely. I need that to be true. I need you all to make it.” Everyone grimly nodded. “Let’s go.”
She jumped into the portal. Landar nodded his head and followed.
Korr gritted his teeth. “Never been to the Spirit Realm before. May we die with honor.”
He jumped in. Nimbus calmly walked forward and entered.
Ex Vis turned to Omazz. “Keep it open for us, dear.” He hopped in the air, dramatically twirling, and landed in the portal.