Howl...
The chilling cries of the sand wolf pack echoed closer, sending a shiver through the humid air of Lords Island. Zyler Taakeshi gripped Zhao Luna's hand, his heart pounding as he led her toward the towering Grand Necropolis. Its skull-crowned silhouette loomed ahead, ghostly blue flames flickering ominously. The cluster of six slimes wobbled behind them, struggling to keep up.
"Zyler, they're getting closer!" Luna's voice trembled, but her eyes burned with determination as she glanced back at the slimes.
"Don't worry, Luna. We've got this," Zyler said, flashing a confident grin despite the knot in his stomach. A whole pack? This is gonna be rough. "Get inside the necropolis. It's our best shot."
Luna nodded, her delicate features set with resolve. As they reached the massive stone doors, Zyler turned to his remaining skeleton soldier, its bones clattering in the breeze. The other had been torn apart by a sand wolf, leaving him with just one. "You need a name, buddy. Can't keep calling you 'bonehead.' Let's go with... Skully."
The skeleton tilted its skull as if acknowledging the name. Zyler chuckled, then focused, summoning his second daily skeleton. A swirling vortex spat out another bony figure, identical to Skully. "And you're Boner. Don't make me regret that one."
Luna stifled a giggle despite the tension. "Boner? Really, Zyler?"
"Hey, it's memorable," he winked, then turned serious. "Alright, Skully, Boner, stand guard. We've got wolves incoming."
A prompt flashed in his mind, reminding him of the undead essence he'd gained from the dead skeleton and slime.
[Undead Essence: 2 units.]
His Necromantic Glow talent hummed with potential. Focusing on Skully, he willed one unit of essence into the skeleton.
[Enhancing Skeleton Soldier (Skully)...]
[Strength increased: 2 → 3]
Skully's bones gleamed faintly, its frame looking sturdier. Zyler grinned. "Not bad. Let's see what you can do now."
Howl...
The wolf cries were nearly upon them. Through the trees, Zyler spotted five sand wolves, sleek, tan-furred beasts with glowing yellow eyes, their fangs bared. Each was the size of a large dog, moving with predatory grace.
"Luna, get the slimes ready!" Zyler shouted, ushering her into the necropolis. The stone doors creaked shut behind her, but she peeked out, her slimes quivering at her feet.
"Zyler, I can help!" Luna called, her voice firm. She nudged her slimes forward, and the six gelatinous blobs oozed toward the wolves, their bodies glinting stickily.
Zyler raised an eyebrow. "Alright, let's see what these goo-balls can do." He stepped forward, Skully and Boner flanking him. As the first wolf lunged, Zyler felt a strange pulse in his chest, a dark, tingling energy. His necromancer class was kicking in. Instinctively, he thrust his hand forward, and a faint wave of shadowy mist shot out, grazing the wolf. It yelped, stumbling.
"Whoa, what was that?" Zyler muttered, exhilarated. The system chimed.
[Skill Unlocked: Dark Pulse (Basic) – Channel necromantic energy to deal minor damage. Cooldown: 10 seconds.]
"Nice!" Zyler grinned, dodging as another wolf snapped at him. Skully swung its bony arm, landing a clumsy but solid hit on the wolf's flank, thanks to its enhanced strength. Boner, less impressive, missed its swing and nearly toppled over.
"Come on, Boner, step it up!" Zyler barked, firing another Dark Pulse. The shadowy mist clipped a wolf, slowing it just enough for Luna's slimes to act. The blobs surged forward, latching onto two wolves' legs. Their sticky bodies clung like glue, gumming up the wolves' movements.
"Luna, your slimes are clutch!" Zyler called, impressed. The wolves thrashed, but the slimes held firm, slowing them significantly.
Luna's face lit up. "They're actually helping!"
The battle turned chaotic. Zyler darted between wolves, landing punches and Dark Pulses where he could. Skully held its own, cracking a wolf's skull with a lucky strike, while Boner flailed, barely useful. The slimes, now eight after another split, swarmed the wolves, their sticky mass bogging down the pack.
One wolf broke free, charging Zyler. He dove aside, but its claws grazed his arm, drawing blood. "Tch, you're gonna regret that," he growled, blasting it with a Dark Pulse. Skully followed up, smashing the wolf's head. It collapsed, lifeless.
[Obtained Wolf Pelt: 1 unit.]
[Obtained Flesh: 1 unit.]
[Obtained Undead Essence: 1 unit.]
"Yes!" Zyler pumped his fist as the essence surged into him, his Necromantic Glow tingling. He glanced at Luna, who was directing her slimes with surprising confidence. "Luna, keep it up!"
She nodded, her cheeks flushed with adrenaline. "Zyler, behind you!"
Another wolf leaped, but Zyler spun, unleashing a Dark Pulse that staggered it. Boner, finally landing a hit, cracked its ribs. The remaining wolves, tangled in slimes, were easy targets for Skully's enhanced strength. One by one, they fell.
Howl...
The last wolf whimpered, retreating into the trees. Zyler panted, his arm stinging but his grin wide. "We did it!"
[Battle Results: 4 Sand Wolves defeated.]
[Obtained Wolf Pelt: 4 units.]
[Obtained Flesh: 4 units.]
[Obtained Undead Essence: 4 units.]
[Experience Gained: 40 XP. Current: 40/100 XP.]
Zyler dismissed the panels, turning to Luna. She stood among her slimes, now ten strong, her eyes shining with relief and pride. "Zyler, we... we actually won!"
"You were amazing, Luna," Zyler said, stepping closer. "Those slimes saved our butts. And you, sticking it out like that? You're tougher than you look."
Luna blushed, brushing her hair back. "You did most of the work. That dark energy thing... it was incredible."
"Just a little necromancer flair," Zyler teased, though his chest swelled at her admiration. She's not just cute, she's got guts. Perfect teammate. He glanced at the Grand Necropolis, its eerie aura a stark contrast to the warmth he felt standing next to her.
"Zyler, your arm!" Luna gasped, noticing the blood. She tore a strip from her uniform, wrapping it gently around the wound. Her touch was soft but steady, and Zyler couldn't help but smirk.
"Careful, Luna. You're gonna make me think you like me," he said, his tone playful.
Her face turned scarlet, but she didn't pull away. "I just... don't want you to get hurt."
Zyler's grin softened. "Don't worry. With you and the slimes around, I'm not going anywhere."
The sun was dipping lower, casting long shadows. Zyler glanced at the necropolis. "Let's get back inside and finish your Mystic Marsh. We've got resources now, and I'm not letting those wolves ruin our day."
Luna nodded, her smile brighter. "Together, right?"
"Always," Zyler said, leading her back to the shelter. Skully and Boner clattered behind, the slimes wobbling along. With the wolf pelts, flesh, and essence in hand, Zyler felt a surge of confidence.