Adventure Time: Ashford Demon's Bane

Chapter 2: Holy Glob The Lichslayer

The campfire crackled softly, casting a warm glow on the trio gathered around it. The flickering flames created a cozy contrast to the dark, damp forest surrounding them. Finn, Jake, and Nico huddled close, the fire’s warmth a welcome change from the cold, eerie castle they had just escaped. The earthy scent of burning wood mixed with the fresh, crisp air of the night, making the scene almost serene.

Nico, the eldest of the group, casually poked at the fire, his expression thoughtful as he watched the flames dance. Finn, however, was still clearly shaken, his face flushed and eyes wide with excitement.

Nico: *glancing at Finn with a grin* Is he always this excited?

Jake: *chuckles* Oh, definitely. You should've seen him when we stumbled into that dungeon with the stone knights. He practically turned into a shrine worshipper.

Finn: *breathing heavily* This is crazy! You're the Lich Slayer! I read about you in stories! How are you even here?

Nico: *laughs* It’s a long story, kid. Let’s just say I had a bit of an extended nap and woke up to find everything’s a lot different from when I went to sleep.

Jake: *leaning in, curious* So, what’s the deal with the castle? Why were you all locked up in a coffin surrounded by zombies?

Nico: *shrugging* Well, the castle was my old home. My mom had a bit of a fallout with me and decided to put me to sleep as a punishment.

Finn: *confused* Why would she do that?

Nico: *sighs* After I took down the Demon Emperor Malakar—my grandpa—I ended up pretty weak. My mom wanted me to be the next king, and she wasn’t thrilled with how things turned out. So, she sealed me away.

Jake: *sympathetically* Dang, that’s rough. I don’t even know what to say.

Nico: *waves it off* Don’t sweat it. We all have family drama, right?

Nico: *changing the subject* Anyway, let’s ditch this creepy castle. I’m done with dark, spooky places for a while.

After a few minutes of sitting around the campfire, Nico extinguished the flames with a wave of his hand, the embers dimming to a soft glow before disappearing into the cold night air. The trio gathered their belongings and started making their way back toward the castle, its silhouette looming ominously against the dark sky.

Inside, the castle’s air was dense with the scent of old stone and dampness. Moonlight filtered through cracked windows, casting long, eerie shadows across the dilapidated halls. The grandeur of the castle had long faded, leaving behind remnants of its former splendor—tattered tapestries hung like ghostly shrouds, and broken chandeliers dangled precariously from the ceiling.

Nico led the way with a laid-back stride, his eyes scanning the surroundings. Finn and Jake followed closely, Finn’s excitement barely contained, while Jake’s curiosity was piqued by the strange and ancient artifacts scattered around.

Finn: “Hey, Nico, what are you looking for?”

Nico: “Just collecting some old stuff. Things that might come in handy. It’s kind of like a treasure hunt for me.”

Jake: “Well, if you need any help finding shiny stuff, just let me know. I’ve got a knack for spotting things.”

Nico: “I appreciate it, Jake. For now, I’m mostly after personal items.”

In one room, Nico rummaged through a massive, ornate chest draped in cobwebs. He pulled out an old leather satchel filled with peculiar items—dusty scrolls, a tarnished amulet, and a small, intricately carved box. The satchel’s contents seemed to hold a myriad of secrets, and Nico handled each item with care, tucking them away into his own worn leather bag.