Traps

As Raven explored the tomb, he was struck by the enormity of the place. It was a vast, sprawling complex that seemed to stretch on forever, filled with twists and turns and hidden chambers.

The tomb was filled with traps and pitfalls, designed to catch and kill intruders. He had already narrowly avoided a few of them, and he knew that there were more waiting for him. He was on high alert, his senses heightened as he made his way through the tomb.

As he explored the ancient halls and chambers, he couldn't help but marvel at the craftsmanship of the place. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings and reliefs that depicted epic battles and ancient stories. The floors were inlaid with precious stones and metals, and the air was thick with the smell of incense and ancient magic.

He saw hidden pits filled with sharp spikes, pressure plates that triggered arrow traps, swinging blades and collapsing floors. He approached each trap with caution, using his skills and knowledge to navigate around them. He used his cane to probe the ground ahead of him, searching for hidden pitfalls. As he made his way through the tomb, he was constantly on the lookout for danger. He knew that one mistake could be his last, and he was determined to survive.

And then, he saw a hidden pathway leading along a cliff. He looked down and only found darkness.

"If you stare into the abyss long enough, the abyss stares back at you." He remembered the quote of a long dead philosopher, yet his curiosity triumphed over his caution.

Raven was walking along the narrow path, his torch held aloft in his hand. The darkness seemed to press in on all sides, threatening to swallow him whole.

Suddenly, he heard a sound behind him. It was a faint whisper, a rustling of the shadows. He turned, his heart racing, but he saw nothing.

He hesitated for a moment, his hand tightening on the handle of his torch. He had a feeling that he wasn't alone in the darkness, and that whatever was lurking in the shadows was watching him.

He took a deep breath and continued down the path. He tried to focus on the task at hand—getting through the tomb and finding a way out. But the shadows seemed to be everywhere, scurrying and skittering around him. He could feel their eyes on him, cold and malevolent. He had to keep moving, or they would catch him.

He swung his torch at the shadows, trying to keep them at bay. He could feel them recoiling from the light, and it worked for a while.

But then, just as he thought he was safe, he saw a figure blocking his path. It was a skeleton, a creature of bone and darkness. It was tall and gaunt, its empty eyes seeming to bore into his soul.

Raven froze, his heart hammering in his chest. He had faced only Lady Nightfall's own undead before; they were something entirely different from mortals. This was a creature that even a knight gifted with magic from the gods would fear. How could he, who had not even an ounce of magic, get past this thing?

The skeleton, whose eyes glowed dark red, took a step towards him, its bony fingers reaching out. Raven had to act fast. He could either fight the thing or flee.

He turned to run, but before he could take a step, he felt a cold hand grab his arm. He looked to the side and saw a skeleton hand emerging from a hole in the wall, holding him fast.

Panic seized him, and he struggled against the grip. His eyes darted between the hand and the approaching undead. Every step seemed to sound the bells of his funeral. He even thought about cutting off his own arm just to escape. As if delighted by his terror, the skeleton lunged at him. The other one inside the wall, seemingly not wanting to give up on its meal to his companion, did the same. Rocks flew everywhere, and in the chaos, the old and loose stones beneath their feet gave way under their weight.

He fell, his body plummeting into the darkness below.

At first, he couldn't see anything. The darkness was complete, and he had no idea where he was or where he was going. He couldn't even tell which way was up or down.

He flailed his arms and legs, trying to find some kind of purchase. He reached out with his cane, hoping to find something to hold onto.

But there was nothing there. He was falling into an endless abyss, a void of darkness that seemed to go on forever. It was a strange feeling, like being underwater upside down, not being able to breathe, and weightless. Only that he had the distinct impression of drowning in darkness rather than water.

He would follow his friend sooner than he thought, just then he remembered Grumpit's gruesome end. He had been squashed under the force of the barrier. Yet Raven had remained unharmed. He opened his eyes, grabbed at his chest, and pulled out his amulet.

The star-shaped pendant had remained unused until now, for he still remembered Nightfall's warning. But now he had no time to think about the consequences.

He felt a surge of power flow through him—the power of the stars that shone above.

It began to glow with an otherworldly light, creating a barrier around him. The moment he hit the ground, it felt like a dream. He landed with a thud, the stones beneath him crushed to dust, yet not a single hair on his own body was harmed.

Raven set up camp inside the tomb, his mind racing with the events of the day.

He'd discovered a small alcove off to the side. It was a safe place, he hoped—a place where he could rest and think about how to continue. He built a small fire, using the dry wood and twigs that he had gathered outside. He settled down, leaning his back against the cold stone wall. He closed his eyes, his mind drifting as he tried to rest. But he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. He opened his eyes, scanning the darkness around him. He saw nothing, but he could feel the presence of something lurking in the shadows. Hoping that the fire would keep the shadows at bay, he dozed off. His dreams were filled with shadows and danger.