As they made their way through the city of tombs, his gaze fell on the center tomb. The elaborate sculpture of four beings each representing an element, surrounded a center figure atop the tomb. The symbols below each also marked certain cities in Velusia, Zalentra, Peacecraft, Haven, and Latern's Hold. But also there were symbols below these, writing around the top of the tomb, one of the characters was for the house of Demise. The center figure had the symbol of the united tree of life and death. Everything it seemed tied into this one sculpture though it's meaning was so obscure it meant nothing to Soleus. Suddenly music echoed through out the necropolis, music from an organ which played hauntingly.
There high above on a ledge sat the pipe organ and at it's seat was the last leader of the Darkthornes here in Luskan. It was also the one Darkthorne Soleus had heard of and never wanted to meet. " The Phantom" Soleus said, the one Darkthorne whose identity was a mystery even to the other Darkthornes. No one knew who he was or where he had come from, the only thing about him they knew was his talent and liking for music. Though he perverted the art of music with his dark arias and lonesome melodies which could haunt a man to his grave. The Phantom turned and laughed saying, " welcome to the final act of our play, where tragedy is the star and the players, but pawns in a cosmic game played by unknown and unseen hands."
As the phantom stood wearing his black mask, his black body armor which seemed more like an exoskeleton or skin rather then armor. The sound of ticking could be heard coming from the phantom, more machine and less living being it seemed. Darkthorne orcs came walking out of the tombs with crossbows in hands ready to launch their bolts onto the group. " Do not try to use your powers son of Blackthorne, for you will find magic does not work here. I wondered when you would find your way down here, and I see you brought the key with you." The phantom looked to Gem, which brought a curious glance from Soleus. " What do you mean key, what does she have to do with this?" asked Soleus. The phantom laughed as he began to walk down a long row of stairs.
" You mean to tell me you do not know? Hahahaa.a....my dear cousin Reese brought this one back to life. And it would appear even he had been searching for this place, for he left within her the key to open this tomb. It's not a physical key, but more like a power, all she has to do is touch the tomb and say the magic word which I happen to know..." The phantom disappeared behind the tombs, but his voice continue to speak seeming to echo through out the place and within Solues's head. " I've been here too long chasing ghost and little Blackthornes whom strayed too far from home. Once I capture the secrets of this tomb and of our two families I shall return to Darkthorne as it's new leader. And perhaps the power to crush your side of the family lies within this tomb, so I might also return to Velusia as it's conqueror."
Soleus wanted to act, but there were too many crossbows aimed at his companions. However suddenly Soleus looked back to the golem realizing he had a shield even without magic should he need it. " The tomb was carved from a rock which fell from the sky and created the veil within Velusia and Luskan. It is a seed from the god's placed here for reasons beyond mortal comprehension. Now if you would Soleus, you and your men, and pet step away from the woman or I'll kill you right now. I can still use the girl even in death should I be required to." The Phantom said as he reappeared with a crooked grin on his face. The Phantom didn't seem to care for this waiting game and held out an object which seemed to glow. The object was a bone, but from whom? It didn't seem to matter for from Gem's form some glowing essence emerged and floated to the bone.
" Now I have no need for the woman or any of you, the power is back to it's rightful owner, though he suffers from a mild case of death.." The Phantom turned to the tomb and said a word which Soleus remembered being carved on the flagstone of the Blackthorne's castle. No one had ever known what the word meant or it's purpose, but now Soleus knew. The tomb door began to fade away into the darkness of the chamber beyond. The Phantom stopped and turned to Soleus's group and said to his minions, " make their deaths painful I want to hear their screams echo through the tomb while I uncover that which I've sought too long for. Place them in the halls of the dead, I'm sure the dead are hungry from some fresh meat." The Phantom's laugh echoed as he walked down the stairs into the chamber and began to study the writing in front of another door.
Soleus and the group were escorted to a large set of doors which were pushed open and sealed behind them. Down the hallway in which they had been placed were side passages to smaller crypts and all through out this hallway were crypts in the walls which the dried bodies of dead long forgotten. A loud clatter could be heard in the distance and raspy moans which made Soleus's blood chill.
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