Location: Bellbrooke Walls
Thundering’s crossbow bolt cut through the icy winter air with audible force as the skeletons charged through the slushed and snow towards the wall. Though the leader of the bleached collection of dog teething treats saw the guard atop the wall taking aim, it made not attempt to dodge or even move evasively. It simply charged ahead with weapon raised and skin stripped jaw open in a soundless cry of battle.
The crossbow bolt flew and quickly made contact with the leader skeleton’s torso. Had Thundering been shooting at a being of flesh and blood her shot would have pierce clean through their heart, killing them. However the skeleton was devoid of such things and the steel bolt simply few through the empty space between their ribs, glancing off the spine and sending small chips of bone into the air before punching into a nearby tree.
Unphased by the shot the lead skeleton continued its charge even as it’s boney brethren met similar fire. Taking single fire rifle shots, javelins, and thrown hatchets from the other guards that began to assemble on the wall facing the forest. However the projectiles had little effect on the undead and they quickly closed on the stone wall that separated them from the town.
However the skeletons, in their preoccupation with the fleshy vulnerable guards atop the wall, had completely missed the hulking Diamond dog that had already crushed one of their ranks. As one skeleton turned to face Romt it was met with his sledgehammer and all but exploded from the force of the impact. Hardened bones split like popsicle sticks beneath a truck tire, collapsing into powder and splinters as the limbs and larger fragments of bone flew out in all directions like shrapnel.
Each and every skeleton, especially the leader, slide to an awkward stop through the snow and turned their gaze on Romt. Even as guards continued to fire on them from the wall the skeletons stared at the hulking, fleshy wall of a canine. Had the undead been capable of feeling fear, they would have quivered the way any sane made would at the sight of what they were up against.
Fueled only by purpose however the skeletons did not hesitate. As soon as they registered the Diamond Dog as a threat, they charged towards it with the lead skeleton running up and swinging it’s obsidian bladed Macuahuitl at Romt with the full force it could muster from it’s animated limbs.
Location: Bellbrooke Reform School, lobby
“Finally, a human who doesn’t want to waste my time. With the rarity I see before me now I have no doubt that you’ll actually managed to succeed in my simple request and bring me back something of substance!” Blueblood straightened out, beaming pleasantly as he watched Worried turn and began to leave. Any human that left his presence was good news to him but one willingly going to the work demanded of him only added to the pleasant sensation of relief it typically brought.
Location: Outside Bellbrooke, through woods and at Bearing Lake
“Shows how much you’ve had to deal with him. He takes everything that isn’t gold plated and stroking his ego lightly. The only reason he’ll even get mad that I left in the first place is because it’ll make him look bad.” Falling stepped over the slightly smoldering splinters of the door as she entered into the dark, dust ridden cathedral. She could hear the smug, irritating voice of the thunder spewing guard behind her but she refused to turn and acknowledge him. Fearing the insufferable look on his mug would inspire her to violence against someone who could more readily hinder her efforts.
“It’d be easier to pretend you weren’t here if you actually weren’t. Why don’t you wait outside, or blow a nice big hole in the lake and jump into it? Don’t think for a second I intend to stick by your side. If we get seperated I’ll happily leave you to run in circles looking for me.” Falling spat as she walked, developing a more hurried pace as she began to look around at the interior of the building she so desperately wished to get into moments before.
The cathedral was dark with a high ceiling and stoney walls that seemed stained with secrets of ages long since forgotten. Pews sat in rows. Many broken or collapsed from the rotting uncared for state of the wood. Beautiful stained glass windows high above their heads remained obscured, covered with large tarps and sheets held to the stone walls with tape and nails.
Falling’s forward movement slowed as she noticed lit candles lining the walkway leading up to the altar in the center of the church. Their orange flames provided the illumination lost from the covering of the stained glass windows, even as they wavered and flickered in the harsh winds blowing in through the open door.
“Wait...these candles couldn’t have been burning here forever, could they?” Falling’s anger and irritation began to fade as confusion pervaded in her mind. Stepping past candles both short and tall with pooling puddles of wax surrounded them the brown haired girl ascended the steps of the altar.
There, on the white marble surface of the altar, was a grizzly scene. In a small circle scrawled in blood was the bloated rotten head of a pony. Eyes white and tongue hanging out of the slack jawed mouth the pony head stared unnervingly forward. On both sides of it were golden candlesticks lit with red candles.
Despite wincing from the sight and smell before her, Falling’s eyes did not go to the gold but the book.
Set off to the side away from the blood and slowly rotting pony flesh was a large tome. Leather bound with a iron lock keeping it’s clasp firmly shut the book drew the unruly girl’s eyes. In moments it was in her hand, clutched and held tightly as she looked it over for a title or some means of opening it.
“Someone must of been here. Well if they were then this is mine now.” Falling muttered, smiling eagerly as she tugged at the lock.
All the while a door farther back in the church creek, slowly swaying ajar from the wind blowing into the room.
