Chapter 37: Darkmourn Manor

Vito, Iris, Delwyn, Parsifal, Galien, Kaelyn, Amelsia, Elion, and Gloribrean marched to Darkmourn Manor on foot. The forest was thick with darkness and untamed plants. Even their light stones were being smothered by the unnatural energies that coursed through the area. The sun above held no sway, and light would never touch the ground unless they conquered the area.

Kaelyn performed her duty and scanned their surroundings. She tried to count the dark creatures hiding in the twisted forest just beyond their sight. “There are dozens, hundreds just out of reach. Can we use the sacred ward now?” Kaelyn worriedly asked. She could see them all clearly. Humanoid creatures mingled with beasts that walked on all four. “Goddess, there are spiders, too. Parsifal…!” She had a deep-rooted fear of insects.

Parsifal sighed and opened the chest he levitated behind him. He scattered large chunks of enchanted meat to the left and right of them, drawing the mindless creatures away from them. “There. Is that better?”

“No! But it’ll have to do,” Kaelyn rubbed her arms and cast wary looks around her. The monsters were dispersing to devour the bait. “We should have taken the carriage,” she lamented.

“It would have never made it through this forest, by land or air,” Vito reminded her.

“Still,” Delwyn seemed anxious. “This is too easy. That bait is fine, but it shouldn’t have been enough to lure all of them away.”

They reached the ruined metal gate by midday. The skies above the decrepit manor were mercifully clear, allowing them some measure of light. Parsifal held his hand up and used his magic to push the gates open.

The foreboding manor was just ahead. It was as large as a castle. Duke Ashcroft clearly built it for something other than as a sign of his wealth or taste. Guard towers were posted at the corners, and Vito saw magic sigils that would have summoned golems. An ornate pedestal sat atop the manor, the same type that would have held a particularly large sacred ward.

The courtyard ruins were teeming with high-level dark monsters. Large, dark wolves, skeletons, and zombies, as well as large insects and winged beasts of all kinds, stared at them with hatred and malice. Vito didn’t need to use Scan to confirm their levels; they radiated pure power and malice. They stood still around a broken fountain, almost frozen in place.

Vito entered first and looked around him. The cobblestone ground was cracked, the perimeter walls showed signs of battle, and the less said about the befouled water dancing through the fountain, the better. Statues of warriors and saints stood vigil throughout the courtyard, damaged but mostly unbroken. The manor ahead, though damaged, was in better shape than Vito expected. He felt a wave of sadness rather than anger or resentment.

“Get ready for anything,” he told his friends. Vito drew the rifle from his back and flipped the bayonet that Gloribrean had added outward. Staves, swords, a warhammer, and a bow were drawn and at the ready.

A deep and foreboding voice boomed from the manor. “I welcome you, O brave adventurers! I have not had guests in centuries!” He sounded more amused than angered by the trespassers. The monsters departed the courtyard and stood along the walls, allowing Vito and his friends safe passage.

“I hate it when the villain sounds happy to see you,” Delwyn muttered under her breath.

Vito nodded to the others, signaling them to begin the quest. He led Iris, Delwyn, and Amelsia through the courtyard while Parsifal led Galien, Kaelyn, Elion, and Gloribrean off to the side to find a servant’s entrance. While Vito’s team engaged the lich in combat, Parsifal’s team would search for the lich’s phylactery. They all studied the plans Vito received from the association, and theorized that it would be hidden in the master’s chambers, the master’s office, or the library.

The large doors flew open, revealing the decrepit foyer. A tattered red carpet rested over a scraped and splintered wooden floor. The air was stifling, and dust could be seen lingering in sunbeams.

Demon-type monsters with jet-black wings stood as close to the ruined walls as they could and created a path for Vito and the others to follow. The floorboards creaked as they carefully stepped forward. Monsters growled and lashed out at them, only to be pulled back by an invisible force.

Vito took a moment to look around more. Ancient paintings that bore witness to countless ages looked down upon them. They were in decent condition, even though the manor’s occupants had no taste for art. Paintings depicting Duke Ashcroft and his family were in pristine condition. He seemed like a strong and proud man dressed in a dark, fine nobleman’s suit with just a streak of silver in his short black hair. His family, a wife, a daughter, and two sons, seemed just as happy and kind. Oswald’s face reflected true love and joy when he held his wife and daughter.

A group of armored zombies blocked the hallway forward, forcing them to turn to the right. “The ballroom, then,” Vito surmised. He saw Delwyn stare an armored zombie down.

“It’s strange. We haven’t been attacked once. Is the lich that bored that he wants to deal with us himself?” Delwyn wondered. She flicked its forehead to gauge a reaction. The undead creature groaned, but did nothing else in response.

“Perhaps. I’ll gladly avoid fighting through an entire armada. It makes finishing our job easier,” Vito commented.

“And boring,” Delwyn sighed.

He gave her an annoyed look. “Only you and Parsifal could take your time here. The monsters are between ten and twenty levels higher than the rest of us, and this dark territory will just make them stronger.”

Delwyn raised her sword, a wicked grin flashing across her face. Vito firmly grabbed her wrist to stop her attack. “Save it for the lich duke.” He ignored her dejected grumbling and pulled her down the corridor to reach the ballroom.

Two heavily armed and armored dark ogres towered over them. They seemed annoyed rather than angry. Obeying an unseen will, they slowly pushed the large, ornate double doors. A blast of cool air flooded the corridor, chilling Vito and his friends. Blue flames danced along the walls, illuminating their target.

A large and imposing knight donned in black armor and a tattered cloak sat at the far end of the ballroom, his head resting on his hand.