They found a small chamber with a rusted chest, partially hidden behind broken crates. Inside were ancient scrolls, healing potions, and a small magical amulet glowing faintly.
Lyrielle examined it carefully. "This amulet amplifies elemental magic. It could be useful in our next fight."
Azrak, always mischievous, scooped it up. "And I thought dungeons existed only for monsters. Turns out that humans also had secrets."
Elira hovered her staff above the potions. "These will be of use if anyone gets injured. I will not let something like Eldergrove happen again."
Kael smiled weakly, thankful for the minor win. "Every little thing counts. Let's get going."
Deeper in the dungeon, the party encountered skeletal warriors and ghouls—beings brought to life by dark magic, their bones clicking on stone floors.
Kael took the lead, smashing skeletons apart, mimicking their motion automatically to enhance his technique. Each blow was a precision, each step a measured one, demonstrating his increasing competence.
Lyrielle recited a strong charm, unleashing a river of flame down the hallway, incinerating several ghouls and moving with care not to damage the area and treasure they would potentially need.
Elira employed shield and healing magic, preventing the party from getting sick with all the cuts and scrapes they endured. "Hold on! I won't let you fall!"
Azrak zigzagged through darkness, attacking squarely at enemy vulnerabilities, his twin daggers charged with darkness energy. His experience with monsters enabled him to predict skeleton attacks, keeping the party alive.
The party took a break after a tough battle, wiping sweat and blood. "That was only the start," Lyrielle said. "The farther we go, the harder the enemies."
The group found a hidden corridor behind an enchanted wall, barely perceptible unless lit by Lyrielle's magic. It went down to a lower dungeon, much older and darker. The air was colder, heavier, and foul with decay.
Kael's tone was steady but resolute. "Be cautious. This is where we might discover what the city forgot a long time ago… or what we won't get to live to see."
Azrak smiled in the dark. "Sounds thrilling. I hope these beasts are worthy of my daggers."
Elira held her staff tightly. "I just hope we all survive."
The group descended, torches burning, shadows casting off walls plastered with ancient murals showing forgotten wars, magical seals, and warnings written in an ancient dialect.
At the center of the dungeon, a huge room hid in darkness. There stood a giant skeleton, with broken jewels set atop its head and the corrupted sword in its hand—it was the Undead King, with power and ages under his belt.
Kael took stock of the battlefield at once. "Form up. Coordination is key. Lyrielle, use your magic to maintain the area. Elira, monitor our health points. Azrak, flank positions—strike hard and quick.
The Undead King swung his great sword with deadly accuracy. Kael evaded, mirroring the pattern of the swing to predict the second blow. He struck at the king's thigh, catching it off guard and staggering it.
Lyrielle called upon rains of wind and flame, pushing the Undead King back. Shocks of magical power collided with the king's dark energy, bathing the room in a burning light.
Azrak weaved through the darkness, attacking the king's vulnerable spots while remaining watchful for traps in the floor of the chamber.
Elira's healing aura shone strong, closing wounds as the Undead King let loose a desperate flurry of swordstrokes. "Hold together! I won't see any of you perish here!
The battle was intense. Bones crunched, debris went flying, and the Undead King's onslaught threatened to smother them. Through planning, coordination, and raw willpower, the party finally landed a combined blow: Kael's imitated sword maneuver, Lyrielle's elemental magic, and Azrak's shadow attacks plunged into the king's heart.
The Undead King fell, disintegrating into dust, and all that remained was the distant echo of his sorrowful scream.
The party fell, spent but alive. The room stank of dust and rot, the feeble light of magical taint lighting their faces.
Kael breathed deeply, leaning against a wall. "We… did it. We actually made it out alive."
Azrak braced himself against a toppled pillar, grinning in spite of exhaustion. "Not bad… I didn't think I'd like that so much."
Lyrielle wiped away sweat from her