A Stroll
-by Walpole

Part I: A Stroll

Our story begins with a group of brave adventurers. They gathered in the halls of Moonkeep, the stronghold of the kingdom of Tanelorn. This group consisted of two brave knights, a knowledgeable druid and his archer friend. One knight was middle aged, with a scruffy face and a few gray hairs. He wore a traveler�s cloak equipped with a hood, and his feet and legs were protected with heavy leather boots. He held a shield adorned with the Tanelorn symbol. Answering to the name Strider, one could tell he was an experienced warrior by the way he held his sword at his side. The other knight, Wally, was a younger man with short, messy, brown hair and a somewhat lanky build. He was dressed in full battle attire. What was most interesting about this man was his eyes. One look into his ice blue eyes would be enough to bring a smile to anyone�s face. The knowledgeable druid stood to the side of the hall. He donned a light cloak which hid his armor underneath. Even in his presence, one could feel the nature�s forces swirling around him. No one knew his real name, but he went by �Straken�. With the druid stood his trusted friend; tall and lean he stood, chatting with the druid. He preferred to be called 'F.A.', and despite his tall stature, he was a shy one, only opening up to close friends and families. Once acquainted with him, however, anyone would say he�s a �fine young man�, at which the old women in the village always hinted.

�Ah!! I feel so restless!� complained Wally as he paced the hall.
�Well, the kingdom has been rather peaceful lately,� commented a smiling Straken.
�Isn't this the way you prefer it Wally?� asked Strider.
�Yes, yes, normally I feel so at ease. Maybe I got up on the wrong side of the bed�,� Wally said as he ruffled his hair, making it even messier. At this moment, Seph, one of Tanelorn�s royal sorcerers entered the hall adored in the traditional dark blue cloak.
�Why do you fellows not go out for a stroll? The weather is beautiful today,� Seph said, looking out the high windows.
�That�s a fine idea,� an agreeing F.A. said.
�Then it�s decided, let us go for a nice long stroll!� exclaimed Strider.

At this precise moment Strider was hit over the head with a candelabrum. Strider fell to the floor with a resounding�

~Thud~

All eyes turned to the intruder. Their eyes fell upon a 10 year-old boy. He wore a light blue cloak with messy, jet black hair.
�Hey there Mik! How you been?!?� greeted Wally as he stepped over the fallen Strider.
�Oi Wally, Seph, Straken, FA. I wanna go with you guys!! Please, pretty please??� Mik begged.
�Heh, of course kid,� Wally said as he ruffled Mik�s hair.
�Let�s get going,� suggested Straken �We don�t want it to be dark by the time we set out.� So our group of adventurers set out for their stroll, leaving behind Seph, who was dragging Strider to the sleep quarters. Seph shook his head, mumbling,
�Why am I always the one left to do the dirty work?� ~sigh~


Part II: New Company
Our adventurers stepped out of Moonkeep to begin their relaxing stroll of the lands. They first headed to the dense woods to the east, home of the ancient elves, also known as Sanctuary. While walking quietly through the woods, our adventurers admired the scenery. Wally was guiding the group, for he was considered a local among the druids that lived in Sanctuary.

�Hey Wal! Why don�t you slow down??� complained Mik, for it took 3 steps of his short legs to match to one of Wally�s strides.
�Heh, sorry guys,� apologized Wally, as he ruffled his own hair in embarrassment.

�I JUMP!�

~Umph~

Wally lay flat on the forest floor. Something or someone had fallen from the thick branches above.

�WALLY!!!� A figure hugged, more like choked, Wally with her hands, while still on top of him.
�Hey Ivy, its good to see you again,� greeted Straken.
�Hello Ivy,� beamed F.A. Ivy lived in the Sanctuary woods; she had a nasty habit of greeting Wally in ways which are a threat to his life. We�re all glad Wally survived once again� barely.
�Oh, hey guys, its been a while, hasn�t it?� said Ivy as she finally got off of the half conscious Wally. �Who�s the kid?� Ivy asked as she pointed to Mik.
�Grr, I�m NOT just a kid! I�m part of the Guardians of Tanelorn! A very important member for that matter,� Mik stated in a very important voice with his chin up and arms crossed.
�Yeah, sure kid,� Ivy retorted.
�I�m sure he is!� exclaimed a voice. Another figure dropped from the trees. �Hello, Tevum is my name and hunting is my game,� said the figure. Tevum was a teenager full of energy and a thirst for exploration. He was also a good friend of Ivy�s.
�We were just out for a stroll from Moonkeep. Hum, if you guys would like, why don�t you join us? The more the merrier,� invited F.A.
�Hey lets go with them Tevum! It will be way better than going back home so soon,� said Ivy. Tevum shrugged his shoulders,
�Sure, why not.�

So our adventurers set out again, joined by two lively people.

~Urgh~

�I have got to be more careful around that girl,� groaned Wally as he got up to catch up with the group.


Part III: The Marrdow Swamps
Our group headed south towards the Marrdow Swamps. It was said that the Marrdow Swamps were home to many creatures, including poisonous spiders, hives of wasps and bees, and some rumored that even witches resided there. The swamp was a bubbly yellow-green color. Or in Mik�s own words �this swamp is the color of my puke from that time I threw up cause someone dared me to eat a pound of moldy cheese.� Our adventurers decided to explore the area, for they really had nothing better to do.

�Hey everybody! Come look at this!� yelled Straken. The group gathered around.
�Huh? What is it?� enquired Tevum as he looked around. For ahead of Straken was nothing but various swamp plants.
�Heh, come look closer everybody, � said Straken has he motioned everybody to look through the swamp plants,
�See what I see?�
�Wha!! I don�t see anything!!� complained Mik, for he was too short to see past the thinner parts of the swamp plants.
�Hey, yeah. I see something�a wooden sign?� Wally said as he squinted his eyes.
�Aye, I see the same thing, it appears to have something written on it,� commented FA. �If only we could get closer�� said Straken.
�Move back boys!!� All heads turned towards to speaker. There they saw Ivy holding a large machete.
�Haha! It�s a good thing women are always prepared for any situation!� said Ivy as she winked at the group. She passed the machete to Wally and he began hacking away at the swamp plants.

He pushed away the fallen plants and made a narrow path. Everyone was eager to see what lay ahead so they hurried forward to the wooden sign they had spotted earlier. Straken and FA got there first. FA knelt down in front of the sign to remove some of the mold that had grown over the wood with one of his arrow tips. As FA was almost finished, Straken let out a gasp, for on the sign was written:

�THIS WAY TO DEATH�

�Well� that�s certainly one way to greet people,� said FA. while pointing to the sign.
�Yeah, I feel ~so~ welcomed,� Walpole said while rolling his eyes.
�I bet someone just put that there for fun. I mean look at it, it's old, worn and if FA didn�t scrape off the moss from the sign we wouldn�t even know what was on it. I for one don�t take heed from silly signs,� commented Tevum.
�Actually, I feel the same way, there couldn�t possibly be anything in these swamps that can take down this group of adventurers, and anyways, I�m in an exploring mood today,� smiled Ivy, and she waved her wand in the air as she spoke.
�Well, I�m all for charting new territory,� grinned Wally.

The group started down the path, past the sign and into the unknown. One person lagged behind the group; Straken, the knowledgeable druid, gave a glance behind and a thin frown appeared on his lips.

-I don�t have a good feeling about this-

But he shrugged it off and quickened his pace to follow his companions.

Our adventurers trekked their way deeper in the Marrdow Swamps. They advanced at a slow pace, single filed, for none knew what lay ahead. Wally led the group followed by Mik, FA, Straken, Ivy and lastly Tevum. The swamp plants around the area seemed to become denser as our group ventured deeper and deeper. Mik was looking at a small bug as it flew along his side, twirling in the air. Mik wasn�t paying attention to where he was going so�

~Bump~

Mik found his face buried in Wally�s light cloak.

�Hey! Why did you stop!� complained Mik as he rubbed his nose. When he looked up at Wally, Mik found him staring into the distance with a stern look on his face.
�Does anyone see something sticking out in the distance?� asked Wally as a squinted in an attempt to get a better look.
�Yes, it is a dead tree� stated FA, his voice with confidence. FA was a skilled archer, also known for his precise eye sight.
�Well, let us take a closer look,� said Wally, as he advanced forward to the tree.

At the base of the tree, thick moss covered the ground, clearing the area of any swamp plants. The tree itself loomed over the area, sticking out like a sore thumb. Straken stepped forward to the dead tree, a small smile appearing on his face.
�If I�m correct, this tree is home to a very rare and beautiful plant�
�It�s the Bloodherb!� exclaimed Wally, interrupting Straken.
�Right Wally, it's believed that this rare herb only grows here, where moss and �bark�ah!� Straken knelt down into the moss,
�Look!� he said has he proudly held up a sparkling red plant with thick leaves attached at the base.
�Wow, its color�really is like blood� said Ivy as she stared at the herb in awe.

�HEELP!�

All heads swirled around towards the yell. A few meters back stood, 7 feet tall, 10 across a �terrible overgrown spider� to use Wal�s own words. It had its fangs impaled into Trevum�s leg. The enormous spider�s venom mixed with Tevum�s blood as it ran freely from his wound. Wally wasted no time to charge forward, sword and shield in hand. Arrows were already flying from FA�s bow along with magical missiles from Straken and Mik. Ivy was at her friend�s side trying to get him away from the eight-legged creature.

Time seemed to slow down for Wally as he ran at full speed towards the giant spider. 11 meters, 10 meters, 8 meters...he was getting closer, but still so far away. 5 meters, Wal watched Tevum's figure go limp in Ivy's hands. 4 meters, the giant spider reared it fangs to Ivy. 3 meters, almost there! 2 meters, Ivy is thrown back by the spider, too shocked from her fallen friend to fight back. 1 meter, 2 of FA's arrows hit the giant spider sending out a green slime from the spider's body. 0 meters, contact!

Wal swung his sword once, only to miss.

-It's fast!-

Wal grunted, as the giant spider struck out with its deadly fangs once again. Another block. Straken's and Mik's magical missles were also doing there job, crippling the spider's defenses.

"Keep it up! Keep firing!" yelled Walpole over the fighting.

-Right, I just have to keep blocking it and I know those three will be able to take it down.-

It was as if the giant spider could understand Wally�s words for its multiple eyes looked past Wal. Straken noticed the beast�s eyes directed right at him. The normally calm and collective druid felt a jolt of fear run through his body. He saw how strong the spider was, when it threw Ivy like she was a doll. Somehow Straken found himself still able to fire a few more magical runes before the spider reached him. The giant spider lashed out with its quick and powerful legs, knocking him to the ground. Stars flew across Straken�s vision while his mind spun from the pain.

Wally was on the spider�s trail, trying to get its attention back on him by striking from behind. Another of FA�s arrows found the spider just as the creature turned its attention away from Straken.

~Clang~

The giant spider's fangs found their way to Wal's shield once again. Bracing himself for another beating, Wal gripped his shield tighter, until his knuckles turned white.

"Huh?" Wal, peered over his shield, for the expected blows did not come. There was the giant spider, venom oozing out from its numerous wounds. Burnt marks were scattered over the beast's hairy hyde, no doubt the work of Straken's and Mik's magic. Also numerous iron arrows were protruding out from the dead monster's body. The giant spider would never use its fangs again.

�Wal! Stop starting at that thing, give me a hand with Tevum and Ivy!� shouted Straken, bringing Wal to his senses. Tevum�s leg was greatly swollen from the poison, magically he was still conscious. Ivy was a bit luckier, she was just knocked out from being tossed by the giant spider. FA carried Tevum on his back while Wal had Ivy on his. They hurried back out the path they came, past the sign, past the hacked swamp plants, out the swamp to a near by village. Fortunately Ivy and Tevum were able to make a full recovery.

Our group stayed in the village for a few extra days, just to be sure that Ivy and Tevum would be in good health. The group decided as a whole to send a messenger back to Moonkeep to tell them of their delays. Straken and Mik volunteered to go.

�Well, my research group would be very upset if I didn�t return soon, for we have a very important experiment planned for tomorrow,� explained Straken as he packed some food for his journey back. Although Mik would not admit it out loud, he greatly missed his family and wanted to see them as soon as possible. He merrily put on his boyish grin and announced,

�Back to Tanelorn! I can�t wait to see Strider�s face when I tell him how I took down a GIANT spider!�

�Hey, didn�t you knock Strider out with a candelabrum when we left? I don�t the he�ll be too happy when he sees you, heh� chuckled Wal.

�Well�I�ll just hit him over the head again!� Mik motioned as he swung his little fists in the air, following Straken, who was already on the path.


Part IV: Lumps

-Back in Tanelorn-
Mik and Straken, having arrived in Tanelorn, wasted no time in telling Strider of their adventures. They sat in the mess hall, Strider with his mug of ale and Mik with his apple cider.

��and after I fried that ugly spider�s leg with my fireballs, I went for its eye�and then�and then�� Mik couldn�t contain his energy as he narrated his adventures to the leader of the Guardians of Tanelorn. Strider chuckled lightly as his listened to the boy�s story with amusement. Straken was already off, working with his research team. Strider began to think he needed to get away from Tanelorn too. Mik�s tale only made the wanting even stronger.

�Hey Mik, shouldn�t you be heading home? I�m sure your parents are worried that you haven�t been home in a few days.�

�Oh �yeah� Mik said sheepishly as he remembered how much he missed his family. He got out of the chair, pushing aside his empty cider cup. Mik proceeded out the door as Strider smiled to himself.

�Ouch!� exclaimed Mik as something hit his head. He looked to the floor to find the empty cup he was drinking from. While bending down to pick up the cup,

�Heeey...what was that for?� grumbled Mik. He felt a small lump beginning to form on his head where the cup hit. Strider winks,

�You know exactly what that was for kid, now we�re even; we both have lumps on our heads. Anyways, run along home now. I�ll be away, I�m going to join the others.�

Mik sighed, knowing full well he only got what he gave in return. At any rate, Strider was always playing with him. Mik looked to the man as a second father. He laughed to himself as he imagined how much bigger Strider�s lump must have been form the candelabrum compared to his.

�Wait! How will you find them?�

Strider gave another one of his knowing smiles.

�They don�t call me �Strider� for nothing, kid.� And with that they both exited the mess hall. Mik bound for home while Strider headed outside the gates of Tanelorn.

-Back with Wally, FA, Ivy and Tevum-

Ivy and Tevum were heavily wounded in our adventurer�s last fight with the overgrown spider. Luckily a few days of rest in the village was enough to put the duo back on their feet. In the mean time Wal and FA were discussing their itinerary while sitting under a tree on the side of a dusty path.

�I still think we should head back to Moonkeep. Our fellow guardians might worry about where we�ve been,� reasoned FA.

�Naw, we sent Straken and Mik right? We�ll be alright if we�re away for a few days longer,� said Wal, �But what should we do? Our little stroll turned out to be a bit of a vacation from my guardian duties back in Tanelorn.�

A small smile tugged at FA's lips while he said, �Heh, yeah, I�ve actually had more chances to practice my aim on this trip compared to the time I spent in the peaceful lands on Tanelorn.� He fingered one of his arrows.

�Well, where do you propose we go then, FA? I think by tomorrow Ivy and Tevum will be fit for travel once again��

�Humm��

~A loud hearty laugh was heard by Wal and FA~

�Why, to the gates of Hell of course!�

Both Wal and FA turned to the deep voice. Of all people, they spotted Strider! He was leaning against the tree with his hands crossed over his chest. Strider looked back at Wal�s and FA�s surprised faces.

�What? Are you happy to see me?� grinned Strider. Wal was the first to recover.

�I should have known you would have tracked us down Strider,� said Wal as he got up to meet Strider. FA greeted Strider with a nod and a smile.

�What do you mean by 'the gates of Hell'?� inquired Wal, �I don�t think it's a place where any of us would like to spend great amounts of time.� It was well known that Wally hated the gates of Hell. He always commented that it gave him bad memories.

�Well, I know it�s not your favorite vacation spots Wal, but I need to stake out an area in there for one of Tanelorn�s upcoming missions��

�I wouldn�t mind going,� FA piped up, �I�ve never been there myself and I wouldn�t want to miss that chance to visit a place that is said to give Wal the willies.� FA showed another one of his kind smiles.

�Humph! I just don�t like that place, alright?� glared Wal, �but I�m not afraid to go once again. How does tomorrow sound Strider? Ivy and Tevum should be well enough by then.�

�Sounds good, by the way, where are they? I would like to visit them. It�s a rare chance that I get to see those two in a sedative state.� Strider was referring to the duo�s normally lively state.

�Ah, of course, let�s head back into the village,� suggested Wal. The two knights and the archer strolled back into the village, talking about the plans for tomorrow�s trip.


Part V: Entering the Gates of Hell- The Killer Mud

The itinerary for the trip was rather simple. The group consisted of Strider, Wal, FA, Ivy and Tevum, and would travel north to the gates of hell with Strider as their guide. Their mission was to scout out an area for one of Tanelorn�s planned missions. Strider described the area to them as �a stone bridge surrounded by blazing red fire�. For what purpose this was, only Strider knew.

It took the group only 3 days to reach their destination. They stood at the Gates of Hell, about to enter. A grand entrance way greeted them, with large stone pillars on both sides and the only source of light was from torches that hung on every other pillar. At the end of the tall room was what appeared to be a soul portal; much like those the gods had created themselves.

Strider noticed FA�s uneasiness, �That over there,� as he gestured to the glowing blue orb �is a teleportation portal, it will take us right into the center of Hell�.

�Oh, how relieving,� commented Wal as he glared at the portal.

Ivy stepped up next to Wal and teased him, �So�there�s something beyond that portal the scares a big strong knight like yourself?�

�Humph! I�m not afraid of anything!� declared Wal.

�Its just that I don�t like that place,� giving the portal another angry glance.

�Well�It's actually my first time here�� said FA.

�Right, mine too,� said Tevum.

�No worries fellows! We�re just here for a bit of scouting and exploring, and anyways you all have Wal and I to cover your back. We�ll all be fine as long as we stick together.�

�Ah, right as ever Strider. Who should be the first to go in?� asked Wal as he gestured to the glowing orb.

�Hehe, why don�t you go in first Wally? Since you�re soo not afraid of the place.�

This time Ivy earned a glare from Wal.

�I will then.� Wal proceeded into the blue orb with heavy foot steps.

One by one the group followed. Ivy, Tevum, FA and lastly Strider entered the Gates of Hell.

-----------------

�WHAT?!?!�

Tevum was jumping with anger.

�You could have at least told us!!� he growled in Strider�s and Wal�s direction.

Wal just shrugged his shoulders, �Um..I guess it just slipped my mind.�

Strider had a slight smile on his face, �Well�nobody really mentioned it��

FA just shook his head at the whole scene. Of course, he was also a bit surprised. How could Strider and Wal both forget to mention that there wasn�t a teleportation portal on the other side to take them back? Honestly! One would think that it was an important detail. FA looked at Strider.

-It seems that Strider is almost enjoying himself- thought FA.
-I wonder if he really does all these things on purpose�-

�Right, everybody gather around! We don�t have all day, or we�ll be stuck down here longer than needed.� Everyone gathered around Strider.

�So, as you all can see, currently there is no way out. It's nothing to worry about, both Wal and I have been there many times and we�re both familiar with the roads in this area. My only caution to you all is that there are a lot of strong monsters lurking in the shadows here, so don�t go anywhere by yourselves! The most important thing is to stick together as a group.� Strider looked around to make sure everyone understood him.

�With that said, this will be much like a tour.� Strider allowed himself another smile at this point.

�I know that this is everybody�s first time in the Gates of Hell, excluding Wal and I, and I want you to all experience and see many of the wonders that lay here. Therefore, Wal and I will be your tour guides for the day!!� announced Strider as he slung an arm around Wal�s shoulder.

�Isn�t that right Wally?� he said, giving Wal a wink.

-Here�s another one of Stider�s crazy ideas that he makes up on the spot- thought Wal.

�Yeah, yeah, what ever you say� Wal said out loud as he tousled his hair.

�Well, that doesn�t sound like a bad idea. I�ve heard many stories from Straken about this area, it will be great to see some of them for myself� said FA is his usual calm voice. By this time, Tevum was over his anger,

�Well, I trust you Strider since you�ve made it out of here many times.� �Hehe, I like tours. It is one of my goals to travel to every place and to see everything.� Ivy was known to be an adventurous girl, but sometimes she would act before she thought.

Strider smiled at the positive attitude of his company.

�Alright! Our first stop is the graves to the north! Come along now!�

With Strider in the lead the group advanced on their tour of the Gates of Hell.

The scenery in the Gates of Hell was not exactly beautiful trees or chirping birds. The group talked in soft voices as they walked slowly along the flat rubble that made up the ground. The only source of light for the group came from a light spell that Ivy had casted. Although the path they had taken was wide enough for about 5 people to walk along side to side, it appeared that nobody had traveled this road in many years.

�Don�t be deceived. Although this place looks dead, it�s definitely a place where you want to keep your guard up,� explained Strider as he came to a fork in the path. He took the north part. After 5 minutes of silent walking with everyone in their own thoughts the group finally sees something other then rocks and dirt.

�Oh my,� exckaimed Ivy, and brought her hand over her mouth in awe. For in the distance, her light shown on many graves. Most of them were cracked or broken. Pieces of the damaged graves laid about the mess.

�Well, isn�t this a pretty sight,� Tevum said has he knelt down to inspect the graves. �I can�t make heads or tails of what�s written on these things.�

Wal gave a small smile, �If only Straken was here, he might know something.�

Strider stooped next to Tevum. �Yeah, this entire area is a bit of a mystery to everyone. But because of these graves we can deduce that someone or something lived here some time ago. Mystery, mystery, mystery��

The group explored a bit in the grave area. Aside from the broken tomb stones were some coffins. Strider and Wal each tried to lift one together to no avail.

~panting from both Strider and Wal~

�Well, I wasn�t expecting something that wouldn�t budge combined with our strength,� said Wal as he wiped a bit a sweat from his brow.

�Ah, well Wally, maybe some things were not meant to not be disturbed.� Strider looked towards Tevum and Ivy who were still inspecting some broken pieces of a grave stone. Wasn�t there something missing? Wal seemed to catch the furrowed brows on Strider�s face. The two knights gave each other a quick glance. It seemed as though both of their eyes winded at the same time in realization.

-Where is FA?!?-

Wal broke into a dead run back in the direction of where they came from while Strider ran to Ivy and Tevum to ask about FA.

-Where is he?- thought Wal as he ran to where they entered the grave area.

�Utevo gran lux�

Wal looked around. Could it be? Did the monsters get him?

�FAaa!! Answer me!�

There! Wal spotted a group of undead monsters. There were two skeletons and three ghouls with maggots running through their flesh. Good thing Wal had experience with these kinds of creatures. He was sure that these undead monsters were attacking FA, but why wasn�t FA fighting back? All these thoughts ran through Wal�s mind as he slashed through the monsters with his trusted sword.

Finally he spotted FA on the floor; his face dirtied and small cuts riddled his body. It seemed that his leg was caught in a deep well of mud. He must have stepped in the mud, lost his balance and thus fallen down, and hit his head. FA lay unconscious with a large cut on his head! Wal bent down to check for a pulse.

-Oh, please, please Banor may I find a pulse.-

With shaking finger Wal felt�nothing? Wait...praise the Gods! There was a weak pulse, but it was definitely there. Wal quickly pulled a blue rune from his backpack to heal his fallen friend. As Wal was applying the rune to FA, Tevum found them.

�Over here Ivy, Strider!�

All four heads hovered over FA to watch him. Wal explained to them how he found the young archer surrounded by undead creatures. It didn�t take long for FA to come along.

�Urgh��

The four companions were all too worried about FA as they all said at once:

�Hey there�
�How�s it feeling�
�Are you ok?�
�Does you head hurt?�

FA looked around a bit.

�Felt like I was chewed up and spit back out�the last thing I remember was getting my leg stuck in mud and I was trying to pull it out��

�and you lost your balance and fell� completed Wal as he showed FA the rock covered in FA�s blood. �I�m just glad I found you in time, the undeads in this area are particularly feisty when they smell the living. With yourself knocked out you made an easy target for them.� It was then that FA noticed to dead heaps of rotting flesh and bones around him.

�Oh, geez. Thanks Wal. I must say, I really hate mud,� stated FA as he looked at his leg. It was out of the well of mud but the mud on his leg was beginning to dry.

�Heh, well make sure next time you avoid the killer mud,� Strider said with a smile, �can you walk FA?�

FA got up, �Yes, I�m not feeling too bad, just don�t ask me to run a mile.�

Strider smiled as he knew FA was fine; after all he showed a little humor after a near death experience. Strider turned to the group,

�Shall we continue?�


Part VI: Troubling Eyes

Strider, Wal, FA, Ivy and Tevum continued onwards into hell to do preliminary investigation for on of Tanelorn�s planned missions. Deeper and deeper Strider led the group. At times the caves were wide, others where only one person could fit at a time but the only constant thing was that the group continued deeper into the gates of hell. The temperature was hot yet surprisingly bearable. Not many monsters stood in our group�s way. Trudging along the dry, rocky path non in the group made any conversation, each too absorbed into their own thoughts about the world above. It wasn�t until Wally tapped Strider on the shoulder.

�Oi!� Strider nods, �What is it Wal?�

�You know what. We�re almost there� Wal spoke in almost a whisper. Strider give another of his knowing smiles,

�Oh, it appears so.�

�Well? Shouldn�t we ask them to stay behind while the two of us handle it?�

�Oh�that won�t be necessary, I�ve seen how those three have grown in the past few years, they�ll be fine.� Wal gave a hesitant look while Strider chuckles,

�Just because you don�t like it here Wal, it�s no reason to get them scared�

�Humph!�

What lie ahead of the group is one of the most dangerous areas of the gates of hell. It is said that this area is a source of dark magic, housing one of the most elaborate and sinister sacrificial rooms known to humans.

�Hey! What are those things on the wall� point Ivy. The group looks.

�Those�are skulls of the dead.� Ivy drops her hand and looks at Wal, �you�re kidding right? It can�t be because there�s fire around it, so it means someone is here�perhaps some underground dwarfs?...�

�Wally tells no lies,� interrupted Strider, �those are indeed the bones of the dead. The fire you see around them is a sign of the eternal dark magic that encompasses this area. Watch your steep, and don�t go ahead of Wal or I, no matter what.�


Part VI: Troubling Eyes- the encounter

Strider, Wal, FA, Ivy and Tevum Strider led the group through dark passage. Crawling critters can be hear if one was still enough. The group saw more spectacles of dark magic- skulls of every shape and size and they all seemed possessed by the luminous dark magic. Ivy was closely following Wal when suddenly she heard his low voice,

"Prepare yourself."

Ivy's muscles tensed and not a moment later ahead saw flashes of magic. At first the light was too brilliant but between each she could see their attacker. Slime green bodied...like an alien?! Another burst of magic from the monster reveled to Ivy...it's floating...and eyes, many eyes!? Wal had already left her side charging for the monster along with Strider. FA's face showed astonishment and wonder but his hands moved automatically swiftly stringing arrows.

"Skeletons!" Ivy hear Tevem's voice in the battling. Sure enough there were skeleton. What was going on? They weren't there a moment ago. Ivy had much experience with skeletons, there was no way for them to move so fast. Despite the many eyed creatures appearance it fell quickly to Strider, Wal's and FA's attacks.