Sarah's Shadow
^{A Story}
Chapter 8 - Dungeon Crawl
by Saless
 

Tiffany didn't have to wait long before Sarah opened the portal. She slipped through almost on the heels of Sarah and hid in her shadow (deepened by her own abilities) on the other side. To her surprise she realized that even the sound of her own footsteps was muffled so that she had to strain to hear them. I guess this Shadowkin stuff affects more than visibility. she thought as she followed the others.

As they walked down the torch lit corridors Tiffany felt the shadows all around her and felt exhilarated. I guess I'm in my own element, now. she thought. She didn't even have to try and be quiet or stay hidden anymore; the shadows did all the work for her! She was distracted from this discovery by the discovery of bodies. Zombies! she thought in shock when she heard Erica's explanation. Why did it have to be zombies?!

Jill mentioned that one of the corpses had a sword and Tiffany looked more closely at it after they'd moved on. If I have to fight zombies and they get too close these explosives bullets will be useless. she mused and picked up the sword. She managed to shove the sheath through a belt loop and slid the sword home before running after the others.

At the first intersection Tiffany followed them down the side passage only to find an empty room, except for the corpses. She managed to sneak in and search the bodies, but didn't find anything useful. She ignored the undead bodies, they smelled horrible!

The next two rooms were much the same and they continued down the main passageway. At the next intersection there was what could only be the remains of a major battle. Several fresh corpses were surrounded by dozens of undead ones. The others seemed concerned about being attacked from behind, so Tiffany decided to stay there while they investigated the side passage. She passed the time by searching the bodies. She nearly gagged at the bloody mess some of the men were reduced to, but managed to find an interesting dagger and some gold coins. The dagger found a home in another belt loop and the coins in her pockets.

A loud gong-like sound echoed through the halls and Tiffany correctly guessed it to be some kind of alarm triggered by the others. Guess I'll be getting some target practice. she thought as she heard shuffling steps approaching from the other two passages. More zombies were approaching from the main corridor and Tiffany drew her gun and aimed at them. Realizing she wasn't likely to hit what she aimed at, she simply shot into the thickest knot of them and fired.

The resulting explosion temporarily blinded her. When her eyes adjusted she found that the center zombie was blown to bits, and the ones around it weren't much better off. She stayed back from the intersection to avoid getting shot by Erica, and was glad she did when the first fireball blasted some zombies! Too bad she didn't know how to use those when Kyle attacked her… she thought. Scorched zombies suddenly appeared from the other side passage and walked past Tiffany. They seemed to ignore her, but she put her gun away and drew her new sword anyway. It was good that she did, as one of the zombies she'd blasted came at her a moment later. Swinging the sword with both hands she managed to hack the thing to pieces. Glad I picked up that sword! she thought as she stopped to catch her breath.

More zombies approached and she fell back from the intersection, thinking to use the gun once she'd opened up some space between them. Unfortunately, a few of the zombies followed her. The others seemed to ignore her, so she stood her ground and fought them. She tired quickly swinging the heavy sword, but soon found her energy replenished from the shadows all around her. Cool, the shadows recharge me! At this rate I could keep this up forever! she thought as she gleefully hacked through the zombies facing her. Soon her part of the corridor was clear and she drew her gun again and fired into the mob at the intersection.

This time she closed her eyes against the brightness of the explosion. When she opened them there wasn't a zombie left standing. She cautiously looked down the passageways to either direction and it seemed clear. I hope the others did as well as I did. she thought as she settled down to wait for them. She didn't have long to wait until they returned. Mike had several gashes along one side of his face, but otherwise they seemed unhurt.

They began down the other side passage and Tiffany took the opportunity to go search the other room. She found a few more coins, but nothing else. As she was returning she saw another group of zombies turning down the side passage the others had entered. Tiffany drew and fired into the group and they were reduced to a pile of smoking pieces. A moment later the others came running out of the room to see what was going on and saw the result of Tiffany's shot. She was safely hidden in the shadows and went unnoticed.

They continued down the main passage and Tiffany followed close behind. After a long straight corridor the passage opened up into a large vaulted room. Another sarcophagus, larger and more ornate than the others, dominated the center of the room and was surrounded by skeletal undead in armor. They were all armed and some carried shields. A man was reading from a book on the other side of the sarcophagus. Erica seemed eager to use her guns on the skeletons, but Sarah stopped her and drew her bow. She nocked an arrow and took aim at him and whispered something. Tiffany was amazed to see flaming sparks run from her fingertips up the bow and onto the arrowhead.

Sarah released the arrow and it struck the mage in the chest. The resultant explosion blasted him into the wall. All the skeletons turned towards them and started forward. Erica quickly drew her guns and started firing. In a moment all the skeletons were nothing but shards of bone on the floor. I've got to remember not to piss that girl off. Tiffany thought.

While the others looked around for threats Tiffany went to the mage, as she assumed him to be, and searched him. Jackpot! she thought as she found a pouch full of gems, two ornate wands, another dagger, and what she thought might be another magical ring. I need to bring a bag with me on these trips… she thought, and then found a small leather bag full of mushrooms, moss, and other odd things. Tiffany dumped all of that out and put her newest finds in it. Much better!

By this time the others had all gathered around the sarcophagus and were debating opening it. Tiffany hurriedly threw the strap of the bag over her shoulder and stood near the sarcophagus to see what happened. Things are never dull around these guys! she thought happily as she patted the bag. Then the stone lid of the sarcophagus hit the ground with a resounding crash.

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