The catacombs are a labyrinthine network of dimly lit tunnels, and cavernous chambers carved deep into the world. The air is thick and heavy, carrying the scent of damp stone mixed with the faint, lingering odor of decayed flesh—a scent that has long since become familiar to those who dwell here. The walls, rough-hewn from ancient stone, are lined with alcoves containing the remains of long-forgotten souls, their skeletal forms draped in tattered remnants of burial shrouds.
The corridors stretch endlessly into darkness, illuminated only by the flickering light of oil lamps and torches mounted on the walls. Their golden flames cast dancing shadows, giving the illusion of movement where there was none, and our shadows seemed to dance along the walls. Occasional glyphs and arcane symbols are etched into the stone, glowing faintly with residual magic. Here and there, crumbling stone arches frame doorways leading into more profound, secluded chambers—some of which serve as makeshift study areas or ritual sites.
I turned to look at Syeda, a smirk playing on my lips. "So, Syeda, did you hear about the new apprentice? Apparently, he tried to raise a ghoul and ended up summoning a demon hamster instead."
Syeda laughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she adjusted her hijab. "No way! That's priceless. I can just picture it now—'Rise, oh great spirit of the damned! ...Wait, why are you so small and furry?'" She mimics holding a tiny gerbil, her fingers wiggling as if it's squirming.
I grinned and leaned closer to her. "Yeah, and guess what? The little guy started gnawing on his robes. Poor kid was screaming and running for his life. It took three of the elders to stop laughing long enough to dispel the creature."
She shook her head, giggling, causing me to burst into a hardy laugh. The catacombs typically held an eerily silence, save for the occasional drip of water or the hollow clattering of bones as the restless dead shift in their alcoves, or by the faint, almost imperceptible whispers that seem to come from the walls themselves—perhaps the remnants of spells cast long ago, or the murmured secrets of the dead. Now, it was their laughter that filled the labyrinthe.
"It reminds me of the time you accidentally animated an entire crypt at once and lost control. It was fortunate no one got seriously hurt." I was still laughing and shaking my head.
Syeda rolled her eyes. "It was just a small army, okay? And that was because someone didn't explain the instructions clearly."
I gasped in mock indignation, placing my hand on my chest. "How dare you insinuate it was my fault? Everyone else I taught that day raised only one corpse, as I instructed."
Syeda shifted in her feet, glancing at me, her fingers tracing the prominences of a skull in front of her. The flickering light of the nearby torches danced across her face, casting fleeting shadows over her thoughtful expression. "You know," she began, her voice soft but steady, "I never really told you how grateful I am that you took me in after... well, after the crusaders burned my village. Everything was gone. My family, my friends... all of it. I didn't have anything, or anyone."
I had been examining an old parchment, which I rolled up, paused, and looked at her. I furrowed my brow slightly. "You don't need to thank me for that, Syeda. It was the right thing to do," I explained, my tone warm.
"No, I do need to thank you." Syeda's eyes shimmered faintly, not quite tears, but the emotion was unmistakable. "You saved me. I was lost, scared, and you... you were like a beacon in all that darkness. You gave me more than shelter. You gave me a family again." She hesitated for a moment before continuing, her voice a sweet whisper. "You've been like a father to me."
My lips cracked a gentle smile. I reached over and placed a hand on her shoulder, giving it a firm but comforting squeeze. "Syeda, you've been more than a student. You've been my family too. I could not ask for a better daughter."
Syeda blinked rapidly, trying to push back the wave of emotion threatening to spill over. Her smile was diminutive but genuine as she met my gaze. "Really?"
"Really." I pulled her into a warm embrace, wrapping my arms around her with a fatherly protectiveness, leaning down to kiss her forehead gently. "I'm so proud of you, Syeda. You've come so far, from the girl I found in the ashes to the strong, capable necromancer you are today. You've been through so much, yet here you are, thriving."
Syeda buried her face in my chest, feeling the weight of my words wash over her. After a long moment, she pulled back, wiping the edge of her sleeve across her eyes. "I can't wait to follow in your footsteps, Viknesh. To make you proud. One day, I'll become a Dread Necromancer, just like you."
I chuckled softly, my visage holding a mixture of pride and affection. "You'll be more than I ever was, Syeda. You have a fire in you, a strength I never had at your age. When that day comes, I have no doubt you'll surpass me."
Her lips quirked into a playful smile. "Well, I've had a pretty good teacher."
"And I've had the privilege of watching you grow into who you are," I spoke, affectionately resting a hand atop her head. "You'll carve your own path, and it will be glorious."
Syeda grinned, her heart swelling with a zeal she hadn't felt in a long time. "I'll make sure of it."
I stepped back slightly and gazed at her with a more serious expression. The fervor of our moment lingered, but now my tone shifted.
"Now, tell me," I began, folding my arms across my chest, "What have you learned about the tenets of our law? What is the foundation of everything we do?"
Syeda straightened, sensing the shift in the conversation. Her brow furrowed slightly before responding confidently, "Peace through unity and eternal life."
I nodded, but my gaze remained stern. "That's correct... but I want you to go deeper. Emphasize."
Syeda paused for a moment, choosing her words carefully. "The gift of undeath," she began, her voice growing more measured as she spoke, "is what brings us unity. Through necromancy, we can bind souls together—families, comrades, followers—all bound by loyalty to one another and to our cause. Undeath ensures that those bonds endure beyond the limitations of mortal life."
She took a breath, finding her rhythm, her tone steady and almost reverent. "Peace comes through servitude. Those who rise under our banner do so in eternal service to Lord Necros. We honor the Lord's command, ensuring order and stability in our ranks. In exchange, we offer eternal life—a life without the limitations of the flesh. Freedom from fear, disease, hunger... all of it."
I softened my features slightly, a proud smile playing at the edges of my lips. "Good, very good," I declared, my tone full of approval. "You understand that undeath is not merely about living forever, but about creating something greater—a bond of loyalty and service that transcends individual desires or the fleeting whims of life."
Syeda nodded, her eyes shining with understanding. "It's not about control. It's about family. It's about finding peace in the unity we create, serving a higher purpose."
I stepped closer to her again, placing a hand on her cheek gently. "You've learned well, my child. And soon, you'll see why our way—the path of undeath—brings a peace that the living could never comprehend. They fear what they don't understand. But we... we know the truth."
Syeda smiled up at me, feeling the pride I held for her. "I'll continue to study, to master the art of necromancy... and to serve the Lord Necros with everything I have."
"You'll do more than serve, Syeda. You'll become a leader, a beacon of our faith. You already are in many ways. Just remember, the power of necromancy is not just in raising the dead but in the bonds we form and the peace we offer."
Syeda met my gaze, her heart swelling with determination. "I won't let you down, Viknesh. I'll follow our laws, serve the Lord Necros, and one day, bring even greater glory to our order."
My smile grew, my voice low but full of satisfaction. "I have no doubt, Syeda. You'll make us all proud."
I leaned against the cold stone wall, arms crossed, as I glanced at Syeda. "Tell me, Syeda, what do you know about the four guests we brought earlier today?"
Slightly caught off guard by the sudden question, Syeda shook her head. "I don't know much. I barely had a chance to interact with them."
I continued to smile, but my tone remained sharp. "Why do you think they're here, then? How did they hear of us, of all places?"
Syeda tilted her head, considering the question carefully. "Perhaps… we're more formidable and renowned than you thought, Viknesh. Word spreads, even in the darkest corners. It's possible our influence is finally beginning to reach farther than expected."
I raised an eyebrow, holding a solemn expression. "Perhaps. But if that were true, Syeda, then we would also be seen as a true threat by those who oppose us. And threats, as you know, have a way of attracting infiltrators."
Syeda's eyes lit up with a cold spark. "Then perhaps we should wipe them out before they have a chance to act against us."
I chuckled softly, shaking my head. "Patience, my dear. Wiping them out might not be wise—yet. We don't even know if they are guilty or they may have useful information. If they are innocent, we would be no better than the crusaders."
Syeda frowned, but her voice held respect. "Then what should we do? We can't just let them stay here indefinitely."
My voice dropped to a whisper. "We wait until the ritual is complete. If they are what I suspect, then a self-righteous fool of a hero will be baited out of hiding by the sacrificial ritual we're about to perform. When they come to 'save' those partaking in the awakening, we will know exactly what we're dealing with."
Syeda's lips curled into a dangerous smile. "When shall we begin the preparations, then?"
My smile mirrored hers as I stepped forward, my voice soft but full of authority. "The preparations are already complete. Now, gather everyone. That includes our guests. I want them to witness the coming events firsthand."
Syeda nodded, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "As you wish, Viknesh."
As she turned to leave, I watched her, my eyes calculating and filled with the significance of my plans. I could feel it—the trap was nearly set, and soon, everything would fall into place.