Tristan drew his sword and spun his crucible, fueling the spells artificed in his armor. The partial plate and scale armor grew to encompass and cover his whole form as Scales of Our Foe activated. Ice crept across the surface, adding another layer of protection from the Armor of Ice spell. Lastly, the combined fortune spells Lucky Instinct and Near Miss left a slight tingling sensation on the back of his neck.

The first set of stone steps led into the crypt proper. Tristan saw the alcoves in the walls that were occupied by cloth-wrapped corpses set in repose, and the air had a musty, almost moldy scent to it. The dirt and dust on the ground was swept aside down the center of the crypt, which led to a dead-end wall, with two sconces on either side which if occupied by a torch would easily illuminate the depths. Felicity flew forward and grabbed the torch sconce on the left, muttering, "Nope. Not that one," before flying to the one on the right-side and leveraging her body weight against it. The object spun slightly, a loud click reverberated through the space, and the far wall slid down just as the initial entrance had done. "That was so obvious," Felicity said as she returned to Tristan's head.

He walked forward, and could see a carved stone tunnel – as if whoever set up this lair had bored straight through at a steep angle. Each step into the darkness down the stone and dirt made a soft pat as his boots impacted the floor. I can't risk using Greater Invisibility to remove the sound, he thought. I need to keep my essence reserve as full as possible. Fueling my Armor alone is about an eighth of my essence if maintained over ten minutes. He whispered, "Felicity, scout ahead."

"On it!" she whispered back, flapping her wings and flying down the passage ahead of him. He watched as her tail swished back and forth in excitement at the prospect of exploring the depths of an unknown, underground complex. She vanished down the tunnel and around a bend which Tristan could not see past from his current position.

Tristan followed close behind, and once he reached the bottom of the stairs he saw Felicity flying right back to him – panic across her face. "What is it?" he whispered.

She almost screamed in response, "Something horrible!" She flew past him and flapped above and behind him. "I'm staying way away!"

Tristan bladed his stance to present as little of an angle of approach as possible. Crucible still spinning, he let the power flow through his hand and into his sword, activating Dragon's Doom artificed into the pommel, and Elemental Imbuement – Multi into the blade. The weapon elongated and the blade widened ever-so-slightly, while the edge ignited with crackling, silver flames that flickered away to a deep red a split-second after activation. Yellow lightning coruscated upon the blade, little pops that left ripples of electricity like raindrops on a lake.

He heard the noise of the thing before it came into view, around a bend in the tunnel that curved to the left. "Krawk?" it groan-squawked out. Tristan felt goosebumps on his skin as he saw a grotesque humanoid figure that was maybe once a Demonkin, but had since been completely covered by the sores and pustules, feathers sprouting all over their body, and their arms and legs were distorted. From the elbow-down, the arm had been replaced with a rough, leathery texture tipped with wickedly sharp claws that were a dull, pale white color – the color of bone. Tristan shuddered as he instinctively knew that the bones had been warped and distorted by the Feather Scourge to form the weapon-like appendages. The legs were equally as deadly; from below the knee down was like a bird of prey. The head was the most grotesque component; the face had bulged outward, bone having cracked and flesh split apart as feathery growths grew in place of the missing flesh; a beak that looked razor sharp and clicked as the figure opened its mouth.

The creature rushed forward – equal in stature to Tristan. He had the reach advantage with his weapon, and used his well-practiced stab, keeping his stance bladed as his sword was thrust forward. The bird creature, to his shock, impaled itself upon the blade and kept running up the length; despite the fire burning it and the lightning arcing across its body, causing twitching and smoke to rise and fill the top of the tunnel. Tristan ripped the blade down and cut the thing down the middle through the chest to the groin, slicing it nearly in half.

And yet it still attacked him, bringing one of those wickedly sharp arm-bone-claws to bear. Tristan instinctively raised his left hand; balling it into a fist and raising it diagonally across his torso and pushed the essence surging from his spinning crucible into his forearm, reactively speaking in Dragon's Tongue. "Frost protect me now." A light-blue screen of ice flared to existence in front of Tristan, and the one-use shield stopped the bone-claw with ease; the strike bouncing off and providing an opening that he took advantage of – stabbing right into the skull, between the eyes.

The creature crumpled, and Tristan shoved his blade forward and tilted it to his right, letting the corpse slide off the weapon. He could smell the crisp, burnt flesh from the flames. "You okay?" he asked Felicity.

"I…I'm okay," she whispered as she shook her head. "I want in the armor." She shrank down to the size of a mouse and wriggled into Tristan's visor, making him wince slightly as her tail swished and flicked him in the corner of the eye. Then, he felt her wriggle down into the crumple zone in front of his torso. "Okay, I'm all safe in here. Just tell me what happens!" Felicity's voice came echoing from her semi-safe refuge.

Tristan felt the slight watering from the minor tail-whip against his eye, and blinked the tears away as he strode down the corridor. We made a little noise with that brief clash, he thought as he glanced up. Thankfully the smoke is heading up the tunnel to the exit – so aside from noise, we shouldn't have any indicators of our presence. The tunnel kept going onward, straight, and he could hear more cawing and croaking noises from side passages that had been cut out. I should investigate as much as I can, he thought. Pushing essence into the amulet holding the Pocket Dimension II spell, he opened his storage space and grabbed a bar of white chalk, marking the tunnel with an arrow before slipping the bar into his hip pouch and letting the storage space shut.

Moving down the first tunnel that the noises came from, he crouched low and kept as quiet as he could, the flames of his sword flickering and giving off a slight light. I don't want to be seen, he thought as he pushed essence into the blade once more, this time infusing it with lightning and water. The cutting edge was suddenly covered in a deep, blue film and the lightning sparked across the surface far more than it had with the flame. Hmm…there's some empowerment for complementary elemental spell types, he thought as he continued creeping forward.

The tunnel opened up into a large, dug-out chamber. Tristan saw several of the Feather Scourge afflicted standing in a small huddle in the corner of the room. They had not heard or seen him, and he weighed his options. I could seal off the tunnel entrance, he thought as he glanced back at the tunnel arch he came through. A few good maul hits and I could probably collapse that little bit enough they wouldn't be able to get out easily. Then, later, I could try to Cleanse them one at a time. Alternatively, they might be too far gone. I just don't know how effective a Third Order spell would be against the disease that has progressed this far. I need to lure one out, incapacitate them, and then test the spell to see if curing them is viable. Creeping backward, he returned to the main tunnel and scoured more side-corridors and antechambers, looking for one of the creatures on its own.

And thankfully, he found one. It was standing in another dug-out chamber, that was devoid of any other features, facing the wall. Maybe they are in storage of some type? he thought. Awaiting commands? Either way – this is my best bet. Setting his sword against the wall for easy access, he silently activated his storage space and pulled out his Omnitome, flipping to the section on mind spells. But it was blank. Right, he thought, the Archive had scrubbed that because it was a dangerous spell type. No mind spells, so I guess enchantment will have to do. He put the Omnitome back and grabbed his sword as he walked forward, the creature turning as he pushed his essence into his Cloak of Winterbloom, and activated the stored Thrice Command spell. He spoke in a loud whisper in Demon's Tongue. "Quiet, still, submit."

The creature stood completely still, and Tristan worked fast – moving up to it and pouring a panacea elixir down its maw. Or trying to; he had to first push the vial into the crook of where some of the feathers met the beak. The liquid poured down, and he heard a slight gurgling as it was swallowed. I don't know how long this is going to last, Tristan thought as he stepped back and took up a ready stance.

The creature stood still, and he could see a few feathers fall off – but the rest remained the same afflicted creature. Let's try the Cleanse spell, then, Tristan thought as he kept spinning his crucible and noted he was at about two-thirds of max capacity remaining. He put a hand on its forehead, fingers pointing down the face which necessitated him to twist his arm at an awkward angle. He moved his fingers into position over the things eyes, nose, and temples. "Power within me, I command you to come forth and cure the maladies afflicting this vessel. Strip away the disease, the poison, and the infection to leave only clean flesh."

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The effect was immediate, and drastic. Tristan pulled his hand away and winced as the thing let out a shriek that ended in a gurgle as a foul, yellow liquid poured out of the creature's mouth. His Thrice Command spell faded, and the thing doubled over onto the ground, hacking up feathers and pus that smelled revolting and made Tristan hold his breath.

The feathers began to fall out, and the creature let out a shrieking crow that shifted and became the wail of a pained individual. The feathers all sloughed off in a rush, and the pustules faded into smooth flesh – leaving behind sharpened spikes of bone from the elbow and knees down. A Demonkin man, who was panicking and looking around in shock, lay in front of Tristan. "Where- who-"

Tristan shushed him, "You've drawn the rest," he growled in Standard Tongue as he went to the tunnel and heard the squawking and sounds of scratching steps on stone and packed dirt. "I don't have the essence to cure everyone here," he said bluntly. "So we go to plan B." Tristan turned back to the person, switching to Demon's Tongue. "I'm getting you out of here." He walked back to them, hoisted them on his shoulder, and turned to run down the passage.

He saw the horde of creatures approaching him, and he used his cloak once more, surging energy into the Thrice Command spell stored within. "Part! Still! Hold!" The creatures all slammed their backs against the walls, leaving a narrow gap that Tristan was able to get through. He sprinted once he cleared the horde of the creatures, and got back to the sloped tunnel. Sprinting up it, he could feel the strain on his lungs from the hurried sprint and general malaise from a partially emptied essence crucible. Reaching the crypt part of the mausoleum, he turned and grabbed the torch sconce, yanking it as the stone door rose up to block the tunnel. "Felicity," he said with slight exertion in Standard Tongue, "Wait. Shit. They don't know you by sight. Or what you are." He shook his head as he heard a loud slam against the stone door.

Felicity wriggled out of his armor and glanced back at the naked and maimed Demonkin he was holding, "They okay?" she asked.

"What's going on?" The Demonkin asked in Demon's Tongue.

Tristan ignored the rescued man and spoke to Felicity, "Alter Form on me, now. Then, get the guards to see you. Make a ruckus. Then draw them back here. Now!" She quickly performed the spell and flew off out of the mausoleum. Tristan followed her and moved a few hills away before setting the Demonkin down and switched to Demon's Tongue. "I can't carry you to town, and I can't let those things escape. Sit tight. My companion is going to get some guards."

The man was bewildered, panicking, and seemed in total shock as he looked at the bony stubs of his arms and legs.

Tristan went back to the mausoleum and put his fist on the ground, thumb curled inside the other fingers as he defaulted to Dragon's Tongue. "I summon forth a wall of ice." The essence churned through his body and he felt the familiar chilling rush of energy through his arm. A wall of solid ice extended up, becoming opaque and thickening by several feet as he completely sealed off the mausoleum. Then, letting his various spells fade, he grabbed a panacea elixir from his bandolier and chugged it down – noting the slight slough of a weird, almost waxy substance falling from his face. The disease is potent, but it looks like early cases can be dealt with using the panacea elixir. I'll Cleanse myself as soon as I can barring the five day waiting time to not hurt myself.

He stood there, on guard, as he saw the ice wall begin to thrum from repeated impacts as he assumed the infected on the other side were trying to break it down. Spinning his crucible and pushing the power into his storage dimension spell, he pulled out the Queen's Wood Staff, and channeling essence into that, activated the Control Ice spell he had designed. He watched as his silvery essence spun out into the ice wall, and he willed the surface to shift and blend until it condensed down to be a much thicker plug that would hold the single entrance for a lot longer.

Felicity came flying back a minute later, shouting out, "I got their attention!"

Tristan could hear the sounds of armor clacking as a group of guards pursued through the hilly graveyard. He waved his hands as they approached, and Felicity went invisible and landed on his head. "Hey!" Tristan shouted in Demon's Tongue. "I'm working for Lord Dalphatroux! I'll explain everything!"

The city guards ran up and held Tristan at the full length of their pikes. He held his hands up, knowing that he could go invisible and escape if necessary. One of the guards barked out, "What's going on here?"

Tristan spoke rapidly, assuredly, and confidently. "I'm Marius Lestrange. Lord Dalphatroux charged me with investigating a disease. I found the source – it's under the city." He pointed into the mausoleum, now blocked off with the ice, but still thumping from impacts. "There are infected in there." He then pointed behind him to where the saved Demonkin man was still panicking and sobbing over the loss of his limbs. "I was able to cleanse and rescue this man. He can confirm my story. Get the House Guard and they can confirm my intent. But all of the things down there," He pointed once more at the ice wall, "They are Demonkin who are afflicted with a very potent disease. I delivered a shipment of panacea elixirs earlier today to the main castle. They can be saved."

The guards looked at each other, slightly bewildered, and the one who had spoken barked out commands. "Go! Check out that injured man over there. The rest of you – pikes trained on that wall of ice. Blunt them! We're on crowd control. Broken limbs only unless your life is threatened!"

One of the other guards spoke, "You're going to listen to some random Demonkin?"

The guard who was giving orders scowled, "There's some information above your pay grade." He looked back to Tristan and put his pike up, "The disease has been kept quiet – only a need to know basis and command staff." He looked around to his men going to their various tasks as the ice wall continued to buck, "I guess word will spread."

Tristan faced the ice wall, "I can harden and reinforce the wall until reinforcements arrive, but we don't know where else in the city those tunnels lead to. Whoever is responsible could have burrowed into basements."

The guard captain's eyes narrowed at that. "Shit. Okay, come with me. We'll rush to the House Guard and put the city on lockdown!" He turned and began running, and Tristan ran after him. "Where'd the flying thing go?" The guard captain asked in between breaths as he jogged.

"It was an illusion of mine," Tristan said. "Something conjured with an artificed item," he lied. "I needed to get someone's attention."

"An illusion that can push over a privy?"

Tristan sighed internally, Of course that's how she got their attention and got them to chase her.

The guard captain stopped at several points along their jog into town – other guard posts to give orders to have the citizens stop their activities and listen to the walls and floors of their basements and cellars for any sounds. Guards were to patrol the streets and respond to any notice of intrusion into the underground space.

They made good time, only fifteen minutes passing when they reached the inner walls and the drawbridge. The guard captain was breathing haggardly, but Tristan still felt pretty good. They were allowed into the central courtyard, and Tristan gave the same report to an impassionate looking Demon House Guard. As his report continued, their face grew resolute and grim. "Come, you need to tell this to Lord Dalphatroux." Turning around, they led Tristan and the head guard inside.

The throne room was occupied by several Demons who were dressed in fancy robes that shimmered with interwoven gold and silver threading, with small, blue, stone keys hanging from chains around their necks. Debera Dalphatroux was on her throne, and she sat up straighter as the House Guard, Tristan, and the guard captain came in. "What is it?" she asked in a demanding tone.

The House Guard gestured to Tristan, but was silent. He took that as his cue. "Lord Dalphatroux, I found the infected…" For the third time that day, he filled someone else in on his discoveries, and the Demon Lord's expression slowly shifted to resolve and a grim determination. When Tristan finished, she had a deep frown on her face. Tristan finished with, "…I believe that panacea elixirs can be used early in the infection, but later into the infection's cycle, we need rejuvenation spells."

"And you can use that spell type as well?" she asked bluntly.

"I can," Tristan replied.

"How many bloodlines do you have running through your veins?" she asked.

"I'd rather not say-"

She stood up and raised a hand, "You have no choice in the matter. I've suspected you lying to me for a short time now. You left the city against my orders, and were able to acquire hundreds of vials of panacea elixir within hours of waking…who are you?"

Felicity was making her paw-claw biscuits, but stopped. "Uh-oh, this doesn't sound good. What's she saying? Sounds bad. Want me to scratch some eyes out? Transmute the castle to sand? I can't do the whole thing, but parts of it!"

Tristan raised a hand for Felicity to quiet down. "I'm sorry for deceiving you, but it is the only way to stay safe. I have enemies in this Realm that are hunting me. You want the truth? The truth is this – I need to kill the Demon King. His assassins want me dead. My safety lies in his destruction, and his destruction can only be guaranteed by allying a few of the great Demon Houses to rise up against him and lure him out. That way, my benefactor can come in and strike with me among the vanguard. That is where I went to in order to get the panacea elixirs. To my benefactor, Lord Tristan Winterbloom, ruler of the Fey Realm."

"Bring him here for an audience," the Demon Lord stated.

"I can do that," Tristan replied. "I'll need to go to your inter-Realm market, which might be difficult, considering that the city should be locked down to prevent spread of this disease. I doubt you would garner friendly relations from allowing the possibility of a plague spreading from your city to other Realms."

Her eyes narrowed, "…I need an audience with him…but we will solve this problem first." She clasped her hands together. "My men will clear the tunnels you found, and we will root out the plague in its entirety." She turned to some of the counselors in their robes, "Set up quarantine areas. We'll look for symptoms that we can find, first, and then if there are minor ones, they get the panacea elixirs." She turned to look at Tristan, "You can use this spell that will allow you to clear the disease entirely?"

"Yes," Tristan replied, knowing what was coming and not quite feeling happy about it.

"Then you'll be in that quarantine area. We'll get you all the essence elixirs we have. Your only task will be to cleanse the infected. Once we have eradicated all carriers of the disease, then I want to meet this Lord Winterbloom."

"I can arrange that," Tristan replied, feeling quite a bit of relief, and already having an idea in his head on how to accomplish the ruse he planned. "Let's get to work."

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