Breaker of Iniquity

Prologue

The underground passage, bathed in the pale blues of magelight, played host to the rushing waters of an underground river and overgrown flora that seized the better half of the cobblestone paths leading to Maderscorn Manor. From the shadows of the entrance emerged four adventurers eager to take on the world. Not least among them stood a young rune knight with cropped blue hair highlighted by a black streak at the front. He was clothed in a long, black coat and gripped a six-foot, sapphire sword firmly in one hand. Planet Breaker allowed himself a grin at the battle to come and turned to his fellow party members, all of whom were strangers he was certain he could rely on.

To Planet Breaker's rear was a pale dark haired man wearing a long leather duster and large wide-brimmed hat. Next to the leather-clad man stood a woman in a white kimono. with pointed ears and blonde hair kept in a braid that reached the small of her back. The final member of the crew, a stalwart knight clad head to toe in iron armor with tower shield and mace, stood at the ready.

Alright. We can do this, thought the Rune Knight.

"I'm out," said the armored one. All eyes turned to him.

The elf in the kimono blinked at him. "What?"

"There's no healer," said the armored one. "I'm out. Unless one of you wants to make room?"

There was a brief pause before Planet Breaker spoke up. "I've done this plenty of times without a healer," he said. "If we just follow the mechanics—"

"You noobs can go and waste your own time. I've got shit to do." The armor clad warrior vanished into a pillar of light, leaving the party.

The group let out a collective sigh. "Whelp," said the man in the hat. "BRB."

Planet Breaker thought a moment, then said, "I bet we can three-man it."

The elf shrugged. "Worth a shot. What kind of magic do you use?"

"Rune," said Planet Breaker. "You a taoist?"

"I'm Jewish." The elf smirked. "But I use tao-magic, yes."

Planet Breaker smiled. "Any melee?" The elf shook her head. A quick glance above her gave her name: Adona Perfecta.

"Back," said the man in the hat. "I miss anything?"

Planet Breaker glanced above the hat brim and read the floating name. Von Helsign...subtle. "Von, what kinda magic do you use."

"None," he said. "Don't worry I've still got this." Smiling, he drew two repeating crossbows in each hand from his coat.

Planet Breaker nodded in approval. "Alright, let's go."

The three of them raced down the dim paths flanking the underground stream, ever vigilant for oncoming threats. First came demonized dire bats, flying frenzies of fur and fang, unafraid to swarm the nearest target. Planet Breaker flicked his wrist three times and formed a runic circle before him. When he swung the sapphire sword through the array, it instantly lit ablaze with enchanted flame. The elf kept her distance, forming a series of symbols with interlocked fingers. A red light fell upon Planet Breaker. With the help of her enchantment, Planet Breaker's sword swung true almost twice as fast as before. The bats kept their distance from the flame, screeching their outrage as a barrage of crossbow bolts found their mark. In a few short moments, what monsters weren't scorched or cleaved were impaled to the adjacent wall or floating down the river, leaving streams of red in the water.

"Nice," said Planet Breaker. The elf applauded the crossbowman, who showed off by blowing on the tip of a readied bolt only to accidentally shoot a hole in his hat. The party allowed themselves a quick laugh before racing on through waves of giant rats, and undead soldiers. A long flight of stairs took them up to a hallway furnished with various torn paintings and vases covered in dust. At the end of the hall was the disheveled dining hall of Baron Maderscorn himself.