The
Prophet fell to his knees before a slab of ancient stone, cut down by the last of the
Heroes. He was bleeding deeply and vomiting entrails and guts onto the cobbles.
The
Hooded One stepped up next to the Terror, grabbing his patchy hair and lifting his head high. The
Prophet sputtered, "Just one more... only one more..."
"Yes, my minion. You have done your best, but failed," said the
Hooded One. He pulled forth a blade from his cloak, gently placing it against the neck of the
Prophet.
He began muttering a guttural and ancient language as he slid the blade sharply and violently across the
Prophet's neck. The
Hooded One dragged the large man's body up the steps to the slab, letting the blood soak against the stone.
The
Hooded One threw down the blade and turned to face the
Heroes.
"Congratulations,
Heroes," he said, letting his dark cloak fall to the floor. The earth beneath them began shaking and cracking as deep crevices opened, dark red light glowing from the Doom.
The
Arbalist stepped forward and fired a crossbow bolt at the
Hooded One. It flew right through him, as if he truly was ethereal. The
Hooded One slashed at the air, sending her flying backwards towards the craggy rock wall.
"I was lord of this place before the crows and rats made it their domain. Such surprise was it to find that you were the survivors of this Darkness. The
Bounty Hunter, desiring the thrill of the hunt, the promise of payment. The
Arbalist, Illusive. Evasive. Persistent. The
Crusader, a mighty sword arm anchored by holy purpose – the zealous warrior. The
Jester, laughing and playing all the way until the end. The
Man-at-Arms, protector of many but known to all. The
Leper, a man understanding that adversity and existence are one and the same. The
Grave Robber, who sought gold and glory and found much more. And the
Villager, once large and looming, now small and pitiful."
The
Hooded One began walking down the steps of the slab, chuckling and laughing deeply.
As he walked closer to the light from the doorway he said, "So many dead. So much blood. So much hate. Strengthening me more each day."
The
Ancestor smiled as his face finally shined against the flames.
"I suggest you run. Your return to this manor was so noble, but I was desperate. I was confined to the Darkness for so many years. I saw creatures and monsters making this place their home and, in my desperation, beckoned you save this place. Save me. And now you have. Every monster slain...but one. The true Darkness could never be contained. And as you came closer to ending my torture, I became the Darkness. In humble appreciation, I thank you."
The
Heroes drew their weapons.
And the
Ancestor laughed.
"I told you to run. Now...now I think it is too late. True desperation is only known when survival is impossible."
The
Ancestor rose from the floor, hovering high above their heads, and began speaking an incantation in that same guttural language.
The
Heroes ran out the oaken door and up. Up as far as they could go. The earth shook deeper than ever and they knew the Darkness was growing beyond the Dungeon.
Beyond the lands they knew. They were going to need help in...
THE DARKEST
DUNGEON II
THE PLAYERS
Bounty Hunter machomuu
Grave Robber Sopheria
Arbalist Mana
Crusader Ullion
Leper Fun Size
Jester Omicron
Highwayman jdthebud
Hellion Zeffy
Hound Master Spectrum
Caretaker Rozureido
Man-at-Arms GreyBidoof
Occulist Nakuzami
Plague Doctor Syndrome
Vestal Cheshire Cat
Necromancer Collector Elwood
Acolyte JohnnyMustang
Brawler Arsonist
Bloodletter Marz
Cutthroat aeternum
Thug Hopeless Masquerade
Swine Prince Davepetasprite^2
Swinetaur Etherion
Wilbur Christos
Swine Drummer Lawlietta
Shambler Milotic
Gypsy Wizardman11
Hag Melody
Crone Bardothren
Prophet Golgari
Giant/Villager gimmepie
Blacksmith Ash
Barkeep Lycanthropy
Priest Absol used bite!
Villager/Guildman Foxrally
Guildlady Charlie Brown
Wanderer faer
Nurse Zehn
Grave Digger Nimsy