Marvel Rare Pair Bingo Round 2

Undead

"Undead"

Ship: Nico Minoru & Alex Wilder (Friendhship).
Word count: 542 words.
Rating: Teen.
Square: G4 "Necromancer".
Summary: A necromancer can't be a problem for Nico, right?
Warnings/Tags: Necromancer, spirits, talking to the dead.
Fandom: Marvel, Runaways.
A/N: This is my entry to the Marvel Rare Pair Bingo Round 2 2023. Annie MRP-066.
Also, my entry to multifandom-flash Halloween, Annie-5017 & square 2: "Talking to the dead".

After being chased, the group had to split up in order to escape; halfway there Alex and Nico found themselves, having no idea where to go, they decided to enter an old and abandoned cemetery in the city.

As they wandered among the tombs and mausoleums, a dense fog began to surround them. In the distance, they heard an ominous whisper that seemed to catch their attention. Following the sound, they came to one particular tomb. Attempting to read the inscription, it proved impossible, it was too old.

They were startled to hear a familiar voice behind them, with a great slowness, Nico turned around, she feared she was hallucinating, but no, there was the spirit of her sister, she knew it was her spirit because it didn't look corporeal.

She tried to hold her breath, but the last time they saw each other... a greater danger appeared. Although this time Amy looked very different, on her face was a vacant and gloomy look. Her voice echoed in their ears, full of sadness and despair.

Amy warned them of an even greater danger ahead. Said danger was planning to summon an ancient, demonic being that would bring destruction to the city.

When Nico wanted to ask her more questions, Amy's ghost was gone, yet she knew that somehow, her sister would guide her.

Following the clues left by Amy, they entered a dark and mysterious forest.

Moving further into the cemetery, they found an ancient mausoleum hidden in the shadows. They needed to know if this was where the ritual Amy had told them would take place. Cautiously, they approached and peered through a small crack in the door.

What they saw took their breath away. Calypso Ezili, was surrounded by candles and dark symbols. Her eyes glowed with malice as she spoke words in an unknown language. The air was filled with an evil energy that made Alex tremble and Nico alert.

Determined to interrupt the ritual, Alex and Nico searched for a way in. Then they noticed a small opening in the back of the mausoleum. They decided to slip through it, their hearts pounding with fear and excitement. As they advanced, they encountered traps and supernatural creatures trying to stop them, thanks to the Staff of One.

Inside the mausoleum, they found a dark passageway that led them to the center of the ritual. With every step they took, the air became thicker and more oppressive, and breathing became more and more difficult. As they got closer, they could hear the screams of pain of the tormented souls that Calypso used in his invocation, and it seemed that he was talking to someone, perhaps it was one of the spirits or one of the dead.

Suddenly a chilling noise alerted the boys, Alex peeked through the small window that was in the place.

"We are in trouble," he whispered.

"I have the Staff... "

"No, Nico, you don't understand, you need to see this."

Nico looked out, Alex was right, the Staff wouldn't help, he didn't even know what to do to avoid what was happening, the dead were starting to rise, and come back to life, but they weren't alive.

"We need... PRIDE," they said in unison.