Orc Wars 2 : Lazarus

Chapter 37 - Constantine's Orb Trial Part 1

The three Heroes and two wolves stood at the threshold of the ancient tomb. It was actually just a big hole dug at a descending angle in the ground. The ground slanted downwards into a dim tunnel.

"Shall we?"

"You first," Valentine hedged. "It's your Trial."

Lazarus smiled. "Okay. Oh, one more thing," he turned to Nyx, "Val knows this, if anything happens that we would be better off dead ... kill us."

Nyx frowned. "What do you mean, kill you?"

"Just that. Kill me. I would rather die cleanly and re-spawn to try again than be captured and stuck in there for an undetermined time."

"B-but I have never killed before! NPCs and monsters, yes, lots of them but Heroes?"

Lazarus shrugged and walked to the mouth of the ancient tomb.

Valentine caught her hand as she was about to follow. "Just do it," he said in a low voice. "Trust me, you wouldn't want to get captured and tortured. He knows first-hand."

"Oh!" Nyx's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes opening wide. She remembered. Being an avid Orc Wars fan she had followed Season One religiously. She had whole files of downloaded footage, both official and behind-the-scenes. She loved and followed many Heroes but Lazarus was her favourite. She had followed his journey from when he was a level 1 Hero. She had seen the footage of him being tortured by Varbuk, the orc Lord Commander. It was not a pretty sight. Her eyes darted to the assassin's figure. He was busy checking out the opening.

"After that, he made sure to never be captured again."

Nyx looked into Valentine's serious face. "I understand."

"And Nyx? Don't get offended but the principle applies to you too. He will kill you and me too if we are in trouble and the situation warrants it."

She swallowed, nodded and followed the Thief.

"Ready? Follow me. Stay alert." Lazarus was all business. "Anya, keep an eye on Nyx will you? Val you take the rear."

"One eye on her and one eye on you."

"Copy that."

Tania trotted beside Valentine as he ushered Nyx in between them. "And I will keep both my eyes on you," the Thief's familiar said to him.

All went into battle mode before stepping into the tomb.

Lazarus took a deep breath as his mouth curved up in anticipation. "Here we go."

They stepped into the dim passageway. The deeper they went, the darker it became and the brighter the soft glows of the two familiars shone. They were proving to be useful besides being fighting companions in the trial. Their natural light helped Lazarus and Valentine find their way. Only Nyx was left stumbling in the dark. She could not see the familiars' glow.

The air became stale and musty, the hard packed earth walls gave way to solid rock. They navigated their way for a few minutes, hands out stretched, using the rough walls as a guide. The only sounds that could be heard were the scuffling of their boots and heavy breathing.

The stone surroundings soon became claustrophobic, the heavy solid rock around them seeming to close in. It bore down on the group as they made their way slowly forward. The mental pressure slowly building until Nyx was ready to scream.

"Stop." Lazarus's calm welcome voice sounded in the gloom. Immediately the mental weight lifted, like a broken spell. Nyx sighed in relief.

"It should be here somewhere." Scuffling sounds came from ahead where Lazarus was.