Another Loss

"Take a seat. You friends will be here soon." the voice echoed once again.

The mysterious figure across the lengthy table wanted the group to take a seat and wait for their friends which could only be the rest of the adventurers. The group did not know what to do as the beasts had them trapped inside.

"Who are you?" Lance asked breaking the silence that took over after the figure made command.

"I should be the one asking that question." the figure replied. "You are in my dungeon, my home."

The group was confused by this statement as the person before them had just claimed this dungeon as his own home. Dungeons were always filled with beast yet this person said he owned it.

"What do you mean by my dungeon and my home?" Lance asked.

Rather than answer the question, the figure repeated itself once again. "Take a seat. Your friends will be here soon."

Martha began to get angry as this conversation was seemingly going nowhere. After repeating Lance's question and receiving the same answer, she dashed towards the figure.

She leapt onto the table and ran towards the other side, her dual swords in her hands.

The group watched on as their fearless co-leader charged at the unknown figure. They were shocked to see that upon reaching the other edge, she had suddenly stopped and dropped her weapons.

"No." she cried out in a low voice. "Who did this? Who did this? Who did this? Who did this?"

The others began to move over to her position in hoped of finding out what had caused her to end up in this state. What awaited them was something they had no expected.

The dark figure in the chair was none other than Arthur Hale, the leader of this group. The one they had not worried about due to his strength and intelligence.

His body was more of a corpse as his skin was a lot more pale than before and his eyes were lifeless. He did not move even an inch as the group came closer to him.

A golden ring was visible on his finger which caught Martha's focus.

"Arthur..." whispered a voice within the group.

"Whoever defeated him had to have been strong. Not even those Minotaurs should be able to defeat him." another voice whispered.

Martha had not moved much from before and was visibly shaking. She looked as if fear had taken over her body but Jay could tell that it was more Anger than it was Fear.

"Your friends have finally arrived." the ominous voice echoed throughout the room.

The beasts at the door moved towards the side as the heavy door opened once more. In came more undead beast instead of the other adventures. The group was puzzled at this event.

"Oh my apologies adventurers. I was talking to the beasts not you. Your friends are already dead and only you remain. Don't worry though as your time has arrived." the voice rang.

Without hesitation or warning, the beast charged towards the group. They flanked both sides of the tables and those in front ran along the walls to get behind the group.

Everyone began to use magic and their weapons as they took their last stand. Beast of all sizes and species charged forth with only the goal of defeating the humans.

Jay swung his scythe towards a group of beast that had surrounded him. An angry yell could be heard followed by the sounds of beasts getting sliced by a sharp weapon.

A distance away from Jay was Martha who had lost control. Her swords looked as if they were emitting a red light as they sliced and diced through beast after beast. The beasts were unable to land an attack as they would die before they could react to her attacks.

Lance and a batch of members stood with their backs towards each other. The beast had surrounded them as well but were also unable to land an attack as a barrage of weapons and magics stopped them in their tracks.

Jay had taken down two of the several beast that surrounded him.

He was currently relying on his strength and speed rather than his skills for a very important reason. The final boss had yet to show himself who would most likely be the reason for the undead beasts.

One of the wolf-like beast leapt into the air towards him but was met with the edge of a sword instead.

Martha now stood in front of him, a face wore her devilish smile and her weapons dripped the green blood of the beast. Without a word said between the two, Jay understood that she wanted the two to work together and watch each other's back.

Beasts continued to flow in through the doors but were intercepted by multiple attacks of magic.

...

The group stood in the area covered by green blood. None of the members had died but some had taken a few hits.

Luckily, the beasts were from the kingdom's forest and were only at the lowest levels but their numbers substituted for their strength.

Martha dashed for the door followed by Jay and the other members.

As they exited the doors, the fallen beast began to rise up and chase behind. They had one goal which was to defeat the humans and they would not stop until they were told to or unable to fight.

Jay was breathing heavily as he followed close behind Martha. She was still upset but had calmed down a little after taking out her anger on the beasts.

Jay noticed that on Martha's finger was a golden ring similar to that on Arthur's corpse. He soon understood.

*Flashback***

Arthur and Martha stood on a balcony watching the town below.

The two had just returned from a dinner date and had was now standing on the balcony of Arthur's home. A beautiful full moon stood in the skies above.

Arthur moved out of Martha's view and pulled out a small black box. From the box, he pulled out a golden ring with a small diamond on top. His hands trembled as he held it.

"Martha." he whispered in order to get her attention.

She turned around and was shocked to see what was happening behind. Arthur was down on one knee and held the rind out towards her.

"We have known each other since we were kids. We have went from rivals to friends to best friends and finally lovers. I want to spend the rest of my life with you and only you. Will you make me the happiest man around and marry me?"

Martha was unable to say anything or even move as the shock settled in. Then her silence turned to laughter.

Arthur was puzzled by her laugh and drew the conclusion that she was not going to accept his proposal. However, her laughter began to slow down and tears now ran down her face.

Martha had a smile on her face as the tears continued and she finally revealed her answer.

"Yes" she replied as the two hugged each other and Arthur too let out his tears.

*Flashback end*

Tears ran down Martha's face as she continued through the halls. She said nothing as the group followed behind and beasts behind them.

They passed multiple of the locked doors from earlier, and occasionally attacked a wandering undead beast.

"You can't escape" the ominous voice from earlier whispered through Jay's mind. "You will all join my army."

"Who are you? Where are you hiding?" Jay wondered as the voice disappeared. It felt close but not to close.

The voice continued.

Bang

A hole opened in the floor ahead and a large arm reached out. The arm was rather recognizable as it was one of a Minotaur.

The Minotaur's head reached out after wards but was met with the metallic fist of Martha.

Both fell down the hole and without hesitation, the group jumped in behind their leader. No one had any idea where it led but had no choice.

Jay too followed behind Martha as he had an idea of where the voice was coming from. The undead beasts stopped at the hole their prey had jumped into.

"Stay there. I will handle them." the ominous voice echoed through their minds. The beasts turned and headed back down the halls.