Dungeon Raider System

The moment Sam used his smite skill a flash of light traversed the Shadowlands allowing the Dungeon Raiders to see the horrifying shadows that hunted them making it seem as though time had stopped for a second. Albeit their exposure to light was brief, their wicked pictures would remain forever in their nightmares. Even Luna whom as a cryptozoologist could see the value of that glimpse of the horrors of the void almost had her mind shattered due to the mounting horror of the picture.

The instant Sam fell to the ground time resumed its merciless march and things happened so fast they could only see as devilish limbs extended towards the fallen hunter. For a moment Nika hesitated about whether or not she should use her shadow blink to save Sam, but now that he was completely spent he would be a burden to carry which would reduce their survival chances.

Still, she braced herself for the pain that was about to come when she saw his face. It was a face of relief rather than agony or fear and for the first time since his return, the Dungeon Raiders were able to see the face of the old Sam who smiled gently when Nika decided to pick Luna instead of him.

"Let me go!" Luna struggled to be released, yet not so hard as to cause Nika to fall.

"You're wasting the chance he gave you." Nika shed a tear without looking back, but as she ran past Medusa she noticed her standing still glaring at Sam with the most hateful face she had ever seen on her usually kind smile. Medusa's crimson eyes shone so bright that the color mixed with that of Luna's trait like blood on the water as she used her petrifying glare with all she had.

Nika was unsure whether she used her trait on the cryptids or to make sure Sam didn't have a painful death, but whatever the case she used so much flux energy it was clear no one could take it. Not even a holy rank hunter like Sam and especially not after being left without a drop of flux energy.

Still, Sam found just enough energy in the deep of his soul to summon his wings and kneel on the ground right after realizing Medusa's plan to turn him into stone. He didn't know whether he would be considered a villain or a savior in the future, if there was a future to begin with, but he made sure to strike an inspired pose. If he was to be turned into a statue, then he wanted to be one worthy of being worshiped.

The moment Sam exhaled his last breath, Medusa turned on her heels to follow Nika as even after her powerful skill was not enough to take out all the enemies. Right before Luna's light faded she saw a mass of cryptids already climbing on top of the ones that were turned into stone making it impossible to retreat Sam's remains.

Medusa's mind fell into one of confusion and clarity at the same time. The contradiction of someone who despite not being aware of her conscious thoughts, still acted rationally. Maybe it was a mechanism of defense her mind used to prevent her from thinking at a time where only her immediate actions could save her, or maybe it was just the effect caused upon her by the nasty creatures that showed their visages over the wall of statues she created. But it didn't matter to her, her body kept on running until her legs ached and then she ran some more. She was in a weakened state and spending so much flux energy did her no favors, but even if it only served to spare the one who one was her friend the suffering of a painful death she considered it worth it.

"I'll be damned..." Nika shouted the moment they reached the entrance of the building in such a tone Medusa was left mystified. She couldn't say if Nika's reaction was positive or negative, but since she entered she assumed it had to be safe.

She entered the great threshold of a magnificent building and entered in the marbled halls of what seemed to be the strangest building she had ever set foot in. It was richly decorated, but without taste. There were exotic items hanging in the walls grouped in categories she could not fathom which made her think bad of the taste of whoever decorated the place.

Once inside the mysterious they received a strike of fresh air that bathed their faces, filling up their lungs after what seemed like an eternity. It was such an invigorating breath they were now able to take a stance and ready themselves to defend against the enemies that would surely breach inside the building as the door were open, but that didn't come to happen.

Instead, it was as if an invisible barrier protected the threshold of the building that prevented any cryptid from entering. They still tried, some did so very persistently, but in the span of the minute of silence for the companion they lost even the most stubborn cryptids left.

"I have been awaiting you." Water warlock's deep voice resounded in the halls of Uriel's museum.

"What are you doing here!?" Medusa asked in a shrill voice as her fight or flight instinct kicked in.

"Sup." Nika said casually.

"What I am doing here is just my job as this museum's curator. As for what you are doing here, we can discuss that during dinner." Never a word sounded so beautiful in the ears of those who listened to it. So much so, that Medusa's hostility was postponed until after dining. However, the one who would usually be the most impatient about eating remained standing and looked at the man with an inquisitive look.

"Are you him? Him him?" She asked.

"My name is Water warlock and I have been longing to meet you in person, Luna, the moonlight huntress." Water warlock made a polite bow, something unthinkable for the old him, but after tagging along with Uriel for so long he felt that he knew Luna, even though unlike the others she never met him face to face.

Knowing Luna, Water warlock braced himself for a myriad of questions about his physiological characteristics and some even about his personal matters. He didn't put it past her to ask about his genitalia to which he already had an answer. He wasn't embarrassed, but rather amused and excited to being subjected to such treatment from the curious cryptozoologist.

In fact, he was so eager that he had replayed different scenarios in his head and he was ready for all of them. He had witty answers for the questions and was even ready to calm her down if she had one of her episodes. He knew her so well, that despite her inexpressive nature he was confident that he would be able to read her like a book. But nothing could ever prepare the ancient being to what actually happened.

Right then and there, the tiniest hunter dashed towards him and embraced his hulking leg soaking it with tears and snot as she spoke with a trembling voice.

"Please, save him. Bring him back. I will do anything, just save him." Luna begged.

"Calm down, huntress of the moon. I am powerful, but I cannot do this alone. It is why I called you here, though I didn't know you would answer so soon so I wasn't ready," Water warlock cleared his throat then continued. "but rest assured, Uriel is fine. There is absolutely nothing in this world that can kill him... other than the crystal dagger he holds in this museum, that is."

"I know that he won't die," Luna sobbed. "I want you to save Sam."

"Sam? Do you mean Samael Song? The same Sam I once extended my hand to, but then forced me into submission taking advantage of the effect Uriel's personality had in me? That Sam!?" Water Warlock's voice emerged thunderously as he spoke and his presence seemingly grew in size, yet Luna did not let go and instead helplessly pulled him towards the exit without managing to move him an inch.

"He's right there... please, just... I will be good, I promise," Luna's tearful words and her puppy eyes somewhat melted the old one's heart, but even that was not enough to sway him. "I will pay you, I'll give you everything. I know you like to strike deals, I will forever serve you. You can even possess me, I don't care. Please..." Luna acted like never before to the point where it was painful to see. Medusa looked away and Nika fought against her protective instinct to pull her over and away from Water warlock, but then he spoke.

"It is unfortunately not within my power, for I cannot exit this sacred place."

Sam was dead for good.