Chapter 5: The Crypt

An hour before dawn, soft hands shook me awake. My eyes fluttered open to see Diane’s beautiful face gazing at me.

“Wake up.” she told me. Instead of alarm clocks, it seems I just tell someone who works at the inn what time I wanna wake up.

“I’m up.” I protested. Diane was holding a lit candle.

“Get dressed for your excursion, Sebastian.” Diane said in a no-nonsense tone. Diane turned her back as I changed quickly into the standard cotton clothes I’d spawned with, and strapped on the basic sword and shield. I checked to make sure my little starter wand was intact, though I didn’t know any spells.

“Alright. I’m all ready.” I said. Diane nodded and led me out of my room and to the door of the inn.

“Be safe on your travels.” Diane murmured, and kissed my cheek before hurrying away. I opened the door and grinned in the night air, my skin tingling where Diane’s lips had been.

I walked through the village, seeing by the mounted torches everywhere, until I reached the gate. Jess already was there. She was kneeling in the grass off to the side of the path. A shimmery silver glow surrounded her, and her eyes were closed. Her mouth moved without sound, and I realized abruptly she was praying.

I stood awkwardly until she finished. She stood and looked me up and down.

“That is your best adventuring garb?” she said a little distastefully.

“Yes?” I asked.

“You’ll be dead in one strike. Take this.” Jess offered, and I took the item she extended.

>Item Acquired: Chain Mail Wrap

I took the item and equipped it. A layer of chain mail was draped across my shirt, and it gave me a couple of extra defense points. I nodded.

“Thanks. You ready to go?” I said. Jess nodded. The gorgeous blond half-elf led the way out of the gate, and I’ll admit my eyes followed the sway of her wide hips as she walked.

———

It was several hours of boring walking before we encountered anything interesting. Jess stopped abruptly.

“Look.” she pointed, dragging me down into a large bush. I looked in the direction she had pointed and saw two skeletal people guarding a small stone building.

“It’s an entrance to a crypt!” Jess hissed. I blinked.

“A crypt? Like, with dead people?” I asked. Jess rolled her eyes.

“Obviously.” she said.

“Do you think there’s treasure down there?” I asked.

“I’m positive. Do you feel up to exploring a crypt?” Jess asked me curiously. I nodded, and drew my sword.

“Ok. You mind being a distraction?” Jess smiled, pulling out a smooth elven bow, notching a glowing silver arrow.

“Yeah, yeah.” I said. I walked towards the skeletons, and they drew their weapons. I lifted my sword, and noted that the signet ring was glowing. The skeletons charged towards me, but when they got close to me, they glowed purple and just kind of fell apart.

“What the hell was that?” Jess asked, coming forwards.

“I don’t know.” I said, examining the ring. Jess took my hand and studied the ring.

“That’s old elvish on your ring. I can’t read it, but anybody at the village we’re headed to could.” Jess told me. I nodded. She walked towards the crypt entrance, and I examined the ring. Perhaps it had more power than Zahreem had let on.