Chapter 44: The Catacombs
Siegfried lowered his eyes. His hands trembled harder. " N-No... Emperor... I just want... I just want to prove my worth a-and... "
The emperor cut him off. "It does not matter, you can go if you want. But do not forget that you came into this world to support your big brother. Your duty is to become his sword when Admon becomes emperor."
Siegfried smiled nervously. He poked his trembling hands against each other. "Yes, father... I-I do not covet the throne. I just want to honor the memory of my late master... "
"Good." The emperor’s voice was flat. "You are already useless enough to become his sword. I think Dedric would even be more appropriate... So do not take any stupid risks in the Catacombs."
Siegfried nodded. "I-I understand."
The emperor stood up. "And if you lose a limb or become crippled... Make sure not to come back alive to humiliate our family even more. I believe you understand what that means."
Siegfried nodded one last time.
"Yes, father..."
***
During the Armageddon War, many valiant Chi Users were struck down by the Dragon of Endless Evil. These courageous warriors could not be burned like common criminals, because their remains, tainted by the Dragon, remained dangerous for the living.
It was with this in mind that at the end of the conflict, in the depths of the Artucus Forest, underground tombs were built to place their bodies. Over the months, these underground tombs increasingly resembled catacombs, their construction adopting the form of a complex labyrinth. They had four entrances, each oriented toward a different cardinal point, and three distinct levels. The first level housed the corpses of Chi Users of the first Sense, the second those of the second Sense, and the third those of the third Sense.
With the years, corruption took hold of their remaining chi, and the remains transformed into beings with putrefied flesh, hungry and thirsty for blood: the Daugrs. According to the ancient texts, at the center of the third level was sealed the heart of El, in other words the relic: Pandora’s Box.
In the poetic texts, it is said that the box contains the four evils that El feared in his heart for humanity after his departure. Each time a person opens it, they obtain the power of one of these evils.
...
After a full day galloping in the Artucus Forest, Katelyn finally found an entrance point to the Catacombs. It was the West entrance, marked by two half-collapsed black stone pillars. Vegetation had invaded the surroundings, but the opening remained visible.
Katelyn dismounted, then tied her horse to a solid trunk located next to the entrance. "How much time do you think we will spend inside?" she asked while adjusting the strap of her bag.
Kristian drew his two swords to check their condition before sheathing them again. "I hope no more than two weeks."
Daemon, who was already inspecting the darkness of the corridor, turned toward them. "No one knows what will happen inside. You should worry about surviving, not about counting the days."
With these words, he took a few strictly necessary bags and his katana which he slipped into his belt with an expert hand. Katelyn and Kristian exchanged a quick glance, then they did the same by lightening their bags as much as possible.
In the end, the three entered the Catacombs.
They descended a roughly carved stone staircase, about three meters wide. The place was rather dark, and a smell of mold and rot struck them immediately.
The air was humid and heavy. Fortunately, a few torches still burned here and there on the walls, fixed in rusty iron holders, and they kept a bit of light.
They walked very slowly, each holding their breath at the slightest suspicious movement. The corridor was long and straight for the first meters, wide enough for five people to stand side by side.
But as they advanced, the passage narrowed, and the humidity became more oppressive. Water seeped from the walls in thin streams, forming small puddles on the uneven flagstones.
Katelyn tried to liven up the atmosphere, because for some reason, no one was in a good mood. She threw out a few jokes but neither Kristian nor Daemon answered.
They advanced like this for a good half hour until the group reached a crossroads. There, the corridor split into three distinct paths: one going to the right, another to the left, and the third continuing straight ahead in the middle. Each opening was identical to the others, with the same dying torches.
Katelyn scanned the three directions. "What should we do?" she asked, placing a hand on her weapon.
"The best option would be to stay together." commented Daemon.
But Kristian immediately shook his head. "It’s a labyrinth. If we stay together, we won’t have time to explore to find the best path. We risk wandering for days without finding anything."
Daemon thought for a moment, then shrugged. "I suggest we split up."
Katelyn nodded after a moment of hesitation. "Alright, if we find an obstacle or an enemy too strong, we return here immediately. We meet back at this crossroads."
Both nodded.
Without another word, the three companions headed into their respective corridors.
...
Kristian had been walking for about ten minutes in the central corridor of the Catacombs. The gallery was narrow at this point, barely wide enough for two people, and the walls oozed an icy humidity that made the stone slippery under his boots.
The torches became rarer, and he had to slow his pace to avoid tripping on the uneven flagstones. Then, suddenly, a smell of rot much stronger than anything he had smelled so far filled his nostrils.
"What is this disgusting smell?"
It was a mixture of rotten flesh and fetid humus, a stench that stuck to the throat and made one want to vomit.
He stopped, listened carefully, and perceived a scratching noise followed by a growl.
Without hesitating a second, he quickly drew his two swords.
He spread his legs slightly to stabilize his posture, then narrowed his eyes to pierce the gloom.
In front of him, about twenty meters away, three silhouettes emerged from the darkness. They were Daugrs, corpses reanimated by corrupted chi. Their skin was grayish and covered with blackish patches. Their eyes shone with a dull yellow glow, devoid of any intelligence.
Their open mouths released a putrid breath, and their fingers ending in brittle claws opened and closed with a dry sound of cracking bones.
"They are really nightmarish..."