brandishing a large knife in his right hand. The blade was ancient and, according to legend, had once been used to kill a large werewolf that had been preying on young children in Manchester, England. There was nothing particularly powerful about the weapon but Lazarus had found it useful on several occasions.
Catalyst waited for a signal from Lazarus. Though it had never been stated outright, it was generally assumed that Gray was the leader of this expedition. Andre was, after all, operating on the other man’s turf.
Lazarus gave a curt nod and Catalyst went to work. The old man channeled the eldritch energy that existed within him and pushed it towards the wall. The brick shimmered and then vanished, revealing a room that was about 12 x 12 feet in size. In the very center was a surprisingly ornate pedestal upon which sat The Unnervum. The pedestal was covered in carved symbols, many of which seemed to glow with a soft blue light, illuminating the room. The Unnervum itself glowed as well, but it was a subtler thing, and within its glass confines images swirled of things both dark and frightening.
Andre paused. “Perhaps you should stay out here,” he warned. “If something dire happens to me, I’m dead already. The worst case would be that my time is up and my power would return to the ether.”
“As far as I’m concerned, death is nothing to fear. I’ve been there and back.”
“Your death was a metaphorical one, my friend. Richard Winthrop may have ceased to exist but your physical body never truly went away.” Andre flashed his most winning smile. “Besides, you are now a married man. I would feel terrible if I took that lovely woman’s husband away from her. Stay here. Watch. If I need help, I won’t hold it against you for giving me assistance.”
Lazarus took a deep breath and agreed.
Catalyst took one step into the room and then all hell broke loose. A crackling field of energy shot forth from The Unnervum, striking Catalyst with such force that he was lifted off his feet and sent flying backwards. He landed on his back, grunting as the air was driven from his lungs.
Almost immediately, creatures formed out of the air, taking on humanoid shape. There were five of them, perfectly matching the number of heroes on the scene. These monsters had two arms, two legs and a central trunk topped by a head but that was the end of their similarity to humanity. Their skin was mottled and rough like a reptile’s and their faces were smooth and somewhat moist-looking, with only tiny slits for eyes and a mouth. Their hands were long, with tapered fingers that ended in razor-sharp claws.
They were completely noiseless as they emerged from the room and attacked. Lazarus and Eun fell back, not wanting to be overwhelmed by the creatures before their companions could join the fray. It was a wise decision because Catalyst was on his feet in seconds, joined by Morgan and Samantha.
Lazarus shouted, “Be careful with your guns! Don’t accidentally shoot one of us!”
Morgan nodded and took aim at the closest of the things. He fired two shots, both of which hit home directly in the center of the creature’s forehead. The bullets sank in and seemed to be swallowed up by the goop that comprised its facial features. “Uh-oh,” Morgan mused. He glanced over as Samantha was discovering the same thing. Bullets that struck the monsters’ lower body bounced off, ricocheting dangerously in the enclosed quarters, while the ones that struck their heads vanished into the clay-like substance.
Eun was taking the more direct route. He was punching and kicking with all his might. Unfortunately, his blows were having no more effect than did the bullets. Each strike did more to hurt his own hands than anything else and when he backed away, his limbs were tingling in pain.
Lazarus’ blade struck home again and again but it, too, was useless.
Only Catalyst seemed to have any effect and even his magic blasts were only staggering
Catalyst waited for a signal from Lazarus. Though it had never been stated outright, it was generally assumed that Gray was the leader of this expedition. Andre was, after all, operating on the other man’s turf.
Lazarus gave a curt nod and Catalyst went to work. The old man channeled the eldritch energy that existed within him and pushed it towards the wall. The brick shimmered and then vanished, revealing a room that was about 12 x 12 feet in size. In the very center was a surprisingly ornate pedestal upon which sat The Unnervum. The pedestal was covered in carved symbols, many of which seemed to glow with a soft blue light, illuminating the room. The Unnervum itself glowed as well, but it was a subtler thing, and within its glass confines images swirled of things both dark and frightening.
Andre paused. “Perhaps you should stay out here,” he warned. “If something dire happens to me, I’m dead already. The worst case would be that my time is up and my power would return to the ether.”
“As far as I’m concerned, death is nothing to fear. I’ve been there and back.”
“Your death was a metaphorical one, my friend. Richard Winthrop may have ceased to exist but your physical body never truly went away.” Andre flashed his most winning smile. “Besides, you are now a married man. I would feel terrible if I took that lovely woman’s husband away from her. Stay here. Watch. If I need help, I won’t hold it against you for giving me assistance.”
Lazarus took a deep breath and agreed.
Catalyst took one step into the room and then all hell broke loose. A crackling field of energy shot forth from The Unnervum, striking Catalyst with such force that he was lifted off his feet and sent flying backwards. He landed on his back, grunting as the air was driven from his lungs.
Almost immediately, creatures formed out of the air, taking on humanoid shape. There were five of them, perfectly matching the number of heroes on the scene. These monsters had two arms, two legs and a central trunk topped by a head but that was the end of their similarity to humanity. Their skin was mottled and rough like a reptile’s and their faces were smooth and somewhat moist-looking, with only tiny slits for eyes and a mouth. Their hands were long, with tapered fingers that ended in razor-sharp claws.
They were completely noiseless as they emerged from the room and attacked. Lazarus and Eun fell back, not wanting to be overwhelmed by the creatures before their companions could join the fray. It was a wise decision because Catalyst was on his feet in seconds, joined by Morgan and Samantha.
Lazarus shouted, “Be careful with your guns! Don’t accidentally shoot one of us!”
Morgan nodded and took aim at the closest of the things. He fired two shots, both of which hit home directly in the center of the creature’s forehead. The bullets sank in and seemed to be swallowed up by the goop that comprised its facial features. “Uh-oh,” Morgan mused. He glanced over as Samantha was discovering the same thing. Bullets that struck the monsters’ lower body bounced off, ricocheting dangerously in the enclosed quarters, while the ones that struck their heads vanished into the clay-like substance.
Eun was taking the more direct route. He was punching and kicking with all his might. Unfortunately, his blows were having no more effect than did the bullets. Each strike did more to hurt his own hands than anything else and when he backed away, his limbs were tingling in pain.
Lazarus’ blade struck home again and again but it, too, was useless.
Only Catalyst seemed to have any effect and even his magic blasts were only staggering
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