Wars of Heaven and Earth

Palace of Sorrow

Needless to say, the door was disintegrated. On the plus side, the way was open. However another problem soon arose. As we dashed through the corridor of the palace, the bodies that littered the floor began to rise. One managed to grab Tyra and pull her to the floor while the others began to close in from all sides. With a muffled shout, Tyra slammed her axe against the top of the skeletons skull, breaking it into shards. The dead person stopped moving shortly after, although there were many more to deal with. Ryon grabbed Tyra's forearm and dragged her upright. "Come on! We need to keep moving!" He shouted.

As we sprinted through the many hallways, Ryon eventually took the lead. We blindly followed him as our path twisted and turned. The bones of the risen clattered behind us, an ever present reminder that our doom wasn't far behind. "We're almost there!" Ryon called back to the rest of us, right before the hallway ended in a dead end. "Damn it..well, best to go down like my ancestors." Tyra said as she unsheathed her sword and walked forward, effectively blocking us from anything coming down the hallway. 

"Found it" Ryon muttered as the wall slid back to reveal steps leading downwards into the gloom. "I am NOT going down there first." Ramael said, glaring at the steps that descended into darkness. Meanwhile, the chattering of moving bone had become louder. "I don't remember saying you had a choice" Leucos snapped as he shoved Ramael through the opening. He followed soon after. Next was Ryon, then myself, and finally Tyra. 

The wall slid back into place with a low boom and left us in darkness. However after several seconds lights began to flicker on in the distance. As they came closer, it was apparent that they were not lights at all, but torches. The flames burned a sickly green color as one by one, they lit along the walls. Each torch shed light upon a multitude of cells lining the walls of the corridor that lead in a straight line.

As we descended the steps, something became very apparent. We were not alone, and the cells were not empty. Each cell we passed held something that was highlighted in a grotesque, and otherworldly manner by the flickering light of the torches. Some of the creatures moved, others were inert. Yet other cells held only bones. 

The most disturbing sight of all, was the fact that most of the creatures contained within the cells were vaguely humanoid. "What is this place..." Tyra asked in a strained voice after seeing the latest occupant of a cell we passed. Ryon's gaze hardened before he spoke, "The Oubliette. Where Maeror experimented on his creations to create the ultimate race. The god of light isn't as benevolent as he'd have you believe." He spat before he stomped ahead. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Leucos stand closer to Ramael. As we neared the end of the corridor, there stood a massive door that seemed to radiate malice.

Odd whispers, too quiet to be heard correctly seemed to be coming from the door. Upon closer inspection, the door was a large affair. Made completely out of steel, with massive iron chains holding it shut. Several magic circles were etched into the surface of the door, however each of the circles were badly faded. 

"I..can't make out the purpose of the circles.." I muttered under my breath, to which Leucos gave me a look devoid of emotion. "I'd be worried if you could read them. They're written in old Aeris. The language of Maeror's perfect creation, the language wiped from all living beings. This is most likely the only remaining source of the language in the world. It's ironic really, his own creation is the one thing keeping him bound forever in his own dungeon." Leucos said, although his voice held none of his trademark energy.

"Well we came all the way here and fought our way through a goddamn undead army. Lets crack the bitch open and get this over with." Tyra said as she hefted her axe to strike at the chains. Thankfully, Ryon grabbed her arm before she could swing and brought her hand back down to her side. Tyra looked like she was ready to scream at Ryon, however he interrupted her. "Had you swung that and hit a chain, you would've lost your hand." 

Ramael walked forward and squinted at the circles etched into the door. "..God of light, you are banished from the sky. Forsaken from heaven. Locked within your dark heart. May you live out your days in agony beneath your blasted cities and slaughtered children.." Ramael stepped back looking slightly sick.

"I can't read anymore..this..this is black magic." He said, and hugged himself, while Leucos patted his shoulder in a comforting manner. "In any event." Ryon said. "It's time to end this." He raised his hand towards the door, and began to synchronize with the magic circles on the door. Each of the circles burned an angry red, while the circles etched into the air in front of Ryon glowed a dark green.

"Are you sure this is safe.." Tyra asked, genuine concern was the only emotion displayed on her face. "No. If I screw up, I'm fairly certain one of these circles will incinerate me." Ryon said while laughing humorlessly. "Oh joy." Leucos deadpanned. "This trip has just been a menagerie of death and destruction. I can't wait for part two." Ramael huffed and pushed Leucos slightly. "Be nice. He's trying to concentrate. I don't feel like becoming a god just yet. I'm too young for so much responsibility."

Leucos blinked slowly and stared at Ramael. "When have you ever been responsible." Leucos deadpanned while Ramael held his chest as if he had been wounded. "I am VERY responsible, what about that time we were attacked by bandits on the road! I-" Leucos cut in, "You sat rolling around on the floor as you tried to pull your pants up from around your ankles." Their bickering continued for some time, until the circles hovering over the door disappeared. The chains fell with a loud crash, and the door swung slowly inward. A blast of cold air greeted us, and the whispers increased in intensity, and malice.

"Well. This'll be fun." I said before I walked through the door to face whatever lay beyond.

-------------------Authors Note--------------

Yes I'm semi-late I KNOW! This week was rough, but I delivered on time!!! 

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