Ashes of the Fallen

Three down, a hundred or more to go.

Nothing else had fallen to the floor, for there was no loot.

These rats didn't have items.

They, were only worth experience.

Noises had filled the air and echoed about in a confusing manner as I continued to press forward. The rats were communicating with each other, unsure of what to do from this point on. In our last battle, they knew who we were… they attacked, retreated, and set up a counter attack.

This time, they were under a surprise attack.

They were the ones lost and confused.

Footsteps could be heard, a soft pitter patter almost like rain drops. Numerous rats were running, slapping their small feet against the cold hard rock as they unknowingly ran to their deaths.

Behind this corner, I would make my stand.

I waited with the axe-side out and held above my head, patiently listening.

The noise grew increasingly louder as the distance between us shrunk, seconds passed as only seconds were left. Then, as the first rat came by, I released my swing with a downward-arcing side swing, as if I were chopping into the base of a tree.

No noise.

Then all noise.

The soft contact with metal on flesh felt as if I were swinging into mud as not one but two rats were caught on the end. Flinging their severed bodies off, I glanced back as the first rat that had ran past exploded in white flame and was sent flying back in the direction from which it came.

Surprised, startled, I looked at Katherine as she chained another spell.

Her white hands glowed as three spherical flames took shape. Having completed her cast, she released the three white balls of holy energy without delay. They cut through the air, and if my eyes weren't betraying me, changed direction as they flew around the corner and out of sight.

Lost for words, I stepped forward to see the corpses of four rats on the floor. Looking past those bodies, I saw a white circle had formed underneath the collective of stupefied rats that were still left alive. The soft white hue beneath their feet had begun to glow, and then with a soft dim pulse outwards, the light reached its maximum extended distance and froze in place.

For an instant, everything stopped.

Then a rapid collapse of the circular light followed, shrinking towards the center as the light flickered and appeared to vanish for a split-second. A blink was all it took as I watched with curiosity and amazement for what would come next.

Fire, would come next.

Directly above the small circle of illuminated ground, a sudden eruption of searing white-fire shot forth and up towards the ceiling. The plume of [Holy Fire] pouring up and out, only to splash back down off the mountain rock above.

The five [Wild Rattanorv Gammas] were caught and entirely engulfed in flame with their cries silenced by the intense flames. They were burning for what seemed like an eternity as all I could do was watch. A second and a half later, the fire diminished and the heat dissipated as swiftly as it had arrived.

In the space where five Rattanorv had been standing no more than two seconds before, five unrecognizable corpses were laid bare in front of our eyes.

Katherine was serious.

And, she was fast.

Nodding my head slightly sideways in a gesture to continue forward, I stepped over the dead bodies of the rats and pressed on. Katherine followed in silence, ready for whatever came our way.

Silence, wasn't only coming from our side though.

No, there was a mutual silence in place now.

The entire cave had gone quiet as we came upon the path that had troubled me the last time. The rocks had split into two distinct pathways, a Y-shaped corridor. Both of which headed downwards into what I liked to call an abyss.

An abyss, because I couldn't see anything.

It was dark, incredibly so.

All I knew the last time, was that the left path smelled slightly worse. This time was much the same. The right side had an old odor that wasn't quite as strong… it wasn't that different, really.

The fresher odor from the left side, gave them away yet again.

Yeah, it was still a pungent odor, and it still hung in the air. Even with the strong breeze blowing through. My nose itched, but a twitch was all I bothered to do for it.

My weapon required both hands.

Not bothering to close my eyes this time, I didn't need to let my senses lead like before. The path we were taking was a familiar one.

We were going to go left again.

The two us headed down the left path until we reached the large, gigantic cavern. Sunlight still shining down through the gaping hole in the ceiling. A curious place, one that forced me to swallow the lump in my throat as I stared out at the boulders that littered my view. I was anxious now, having already experienced this moment.

I was expecting them to pop their heads out next.

They didn't disappoint.

Dozens of beady eyes were peeking around the edges of the rocks before us, cautiously watching us as they hid in relative safety. If they were as simple minded as they looked, it wasn't too farfetched to assume they would use similar tactics.