Not a one, thankfully

You're not sure if it's because a Human and a Monster traveling together generally means trouble, everyone's scrambling because of the new update, or if a high level Human came through and cleared everything out earlier, but you actually made better progress then expected. The sun has only just started to set when you arrive. Pausing just far enough away that the shades limited threat detection can't find you, a quick strategy is hashed out. While your Shadow Wave was the most damaging ability the two of you had, especially given Shades' vulnerability to Arcane damage, it had some notable drawbacks, namely that it took a fair bit of time to charge and was an indiscriminate AoE. It'd serve as an opener and when the opportunity presented, though. In the meantime, you had some solid advice for her- most incorporeal undead aren't actually immune to physical attacks, they are just resistant. The myth they are comes from the fact that they did not accrue battle damage the way almost everything else in the world did. Watch the health bar for status updates, not the physical appearance. It was an interesting duality- too many rookies watched the health bar for everything, and too many veterans watched the physical form.

A few last checks and you nod to each other. You stand back from the door a bit and began charging a Shadow Wave while Lyrissa openes the door. The loud creak they produce attracts every single shade in the room beyond, and likely the entire first floor of the tower. She quickly ducks around behind you as she draws her blades- an arming sword and dagger combination, more sensible then most heroes who try two-weapon fighting use, and crouches down.

One heartbeat. Two. Three. Several shades have come out of the adjoining rooms, and possibly even from the upper floors. Four. Five. The first shade is almost at the door, and the next few aren't far behind. You unleash the Shadow Wave and a twisting cone of darkness erupts from your hands. When it fades, several shades are completely gone, and from the cheerful *Ding!* of a level-up behind you, you guess they're back to waiting for respawn. The shades aren't individually very strong- indeed, even a level one hero could handle two or three without too much issue, they're 'merely' numerous and have unusual resistances, hence this being a level three quest. Hitting them with an AoE they're weak to from a level 4 dedicated caster? You're more surprised that more then one or two survived the spell. Granted, there were some that weren't actually in the spell, but that was a minority and those who did survive were barely clinging to unlife.

You step through the doorway and to one side, charging a Chill Ray as Lyrissa charges the three near-destroyed shades in the center. A fourth, equally damaged one circles around to one side. You had your target, then. Unlike Arcane, Shades resist Cold. Not enough for it to matter in the case of this particular shade, but had you tried to Chill Ray a group to oblivion, you would have not had a terribly long life this go round. The sneaky wraith shatters, and you take stock while charging another Shadow Wave. Discounting the three the elf is dealing with, there are five. A pair of soft wails makes you smile. Competent companions were worth their weight in platinum. You could only catch two of the remaining shades in your spell if you safely avoid Lyrissa, three if you're willing to risk clipping her.

Seeing them begin to shift, obviously intending to surround her and then come for you once she's down, you make your decision. Better a possible minor hit than a respawn. Lyrissa sees the same thing you do, finishes off her current shade, and whirls to meet the two furthest from you. You thank your families patron- their name escapes you at the moment- that this takes her further out of your line of fire and unleash the spell. Two of the shades implode, and the third hisses, most of it's life gone.

Its... a lot faster then you remember shades being. On the other hand, you've never been charged by one before. You don't have time to ready another spell, so you settle in for your second melee of the day. Bless the Shadow that you recovered from the damage Ser Jhondoe gave you on the way here. The shade is more capable then the paladin appeared to be, but far weaker. After a few probing attacks from you both, your staff punches through the shades' defenses... and the shade.

A cheerful *DING!* as Lyrissa finishes off her foes informs you that you have leveled up. And here you thought today was going to be a bad day.