Lucas stood at the mouth of the tunnel known on the map as Sub-Crypt 3C, but colloquially referred to by him—and now everyone else—as the Dusty Death Hole.
The entrance was a cracked archway with a plaque that read:
"Here lies the forgotten. Do not remember them."
"Wow," Lucas muttered. "Even the décor has depression."
Mira lit a bloodflare and stepped forward. "Ready?"
"No. But let's do it anyway. Because I'm very brave and definitely not shaking inside."
[System Update: Death Hole Entered]
Atmosphere: 92% Dust, 8% Regret
Air Quality: Like licking an old tomb
Recommended Equipment: Torch, stakes, sarcasm
Warning: You brought the goat. Again.
Lucas looked behind him.
The goat stared back.
He stared harder.
It winked.
Lucas whispered, "I think it knows things."
The crypt began with a gentle descent, then turned sharply into jagged steps that looked like they were chiseled by someone drunk. Lucas tripped twice. The second time, he landed face-first into a cobweb that smelled faintly of raisins.
[System Note: You're graceful as ever, majestic bat prince.]
"Thanks," he grumbled, wiping spiderwebs off his fangs.
The Tomb of Eldren
They reached a chamber at the bottom, where a massive stone sarcophagus rested in the center of a circular room filled with old blood runes. Candles burned despite no one lighting them. A bad sign.
Lucas approached the sarcophagus, ran a hand across the runes, and whispered, "Eldren?"
Nothing.
He looked up.
"Oh gods, if this thing jumpscares me I'm quitting this bloodline."
He touched the lid.
It immediately burst open, throwing Lucas five feet back into the wall.
Inside: a skeleton dressed in fine robes, crown askew, holding a scroll sealed in dried blood.
Also inside: a glowing orb of red light... that spoke.
"You dare awaken me, heir of failure?"
Lucas, still sprawled against the wall, raised a hand. "Okay, first of all—rude."
[System Alert: Eldren's Remnant Awakened]
Mood: Betrayed Ghost Dad
Power Level: Unknown, but extra
Threat Level: Midlife Crisis
Current Action: Monologuing Intensely
Eldren's voice boomed, "You walk the path of power, but you cannot hold it. You are but a flicker! A whisper! A—"
Lucas interrupted, "A dramatic old corpse with too much eyeliner?"
A pause.
The orb flickered.
"...Fair."
Eldren's voice calmed. "You seek truth. Then take it."
The scroll floated toward Lucas, unfurling midair. It displayed a map—ancient, covered in blood runes, showing something called: The Marrow Spire.
Lucas stared. "That's… outside the city."
Mira stepped forward. "What is it?"
Lucas frowned. "Something bad, probably. Ancient tower. Buried secrets. You know, the usual Tuesday."
[System Update: New Quest – Marrow Spire Discovered]
Objective: Don't die
Sub-Objective: Don't annoy ancient spirits further
Bonus Objective: Maybe wear a shirt next time? Just saying.
Current Location Added: Spire of Definitely Bad Decisions™
Lucas pocketed the scroll. "Alright. Let's go. Before Eldren starts crying again."
The orb whispered behind him, "I am not crying. It's ancient condensation."
The goat headbutted the sarcophagus and trotted out like it owned the place.
Lucas muttered, "I swear that goat is the real protagonist."