Episode 93 - In the Dark

## Synopsis

The students, accompanied by Cannon Nathan, walked across the campus with the black powder. Serinepth showed him the world-snuffer she got from Professor Nalder, and told him there was no need to blow up a building. They asked Cannon Nathan to cause a distraction in the Enchantment tower, so when they set the explosions off, no one would get hurt. He gave the kegs to Yog, and ran off to fulfil his mission.

Mira told the group she needed diamonds, and the hat that Winsler got for her from Isathil. The floral scent in her room had faded slightly, though resting on her bed was another sealed urn. She found her hat, and told her friends they needed to destroy the urn. Together they opened the lid, poured the liquid inside down the drain, and shoved it under Mira's bed.

With that settled, they headed to the Necromancy Department in search of diamonds. Inside they heard a few lectures, and headed to an empty lab room. Winsler suggested that he and Serinepth check the storage cupboard that led to the pebble room, while Mira and Integrity checked the lab room. While looking, Winsler found a hole in the wall, through which he could see a single red eye staring at him. In the lab, Integrity found a small steel box filled with gemstones, and took about 25 clear gems. She also took a blue gem that caught her eye. When they regrouped, Serinepth examined the gems her cousin had found, and picked out ten good quality diamonds.

As they crossed the campus again, Integrity kept trying to contact the Progenitor, but still got no response. They decided to go straight to Neska's chamber through the Zoology department. They walked past the swimming pool, through the previously broken door, and into the sewers.

They arrived at Neska's chamber, but there was no sign of the Ascendant. Winsler moved around the ledge, and threw a small rock onto the dust below. Nothing happened. Serinepth asked if it was possible for her to leave the room, and as Mira and Integrity looked around they realised the sand wasn't shifting as it had done before. To further test if Neska was there, Winsler jumped onto the sand and walked around. Nothing happened.

Integrity walked over to the sealed archway on the other side of the chamber, she found nothing of interest, but Mira suggested there might be copies of Neska's body behind it. Winsler teleported back up to the ledge, and the students gathered around the archway. They uncorked one of the black powder barrels, poured a small amount in front of the door, and moved far away. Serinpeth shot a *Ray of Frost* towards the pile, changing its elemental essence to fire. The resulting explosion cracked the seal, and made a small hole in the bottom corner. They spent some time removing the rest of the seal, then Serinepth lit up a small chunk of clay and threw it into the tunnel.

The passage before them was much wider than the archway, and was lined with skeletons, all positioned as though bowing in reverence to whoever walked along the hallway. As they continued forwards, the tunnel widened until there were two rows of skeletons, all bowing towards the path. Eventually the students came to a flat wall with snakes coiling around a flower carved in silver upon it. The air around them felt cooler, but also fresher, as though a breeze was coming from somewhere. Integrity pushed on the wall, and it swung open, letting light and fresh air into the hallway.

The students looked at the room they found themselves in. In front of them was a long table, there was a small kitchenette off to the right, at the end of the room was a set of double doors, and to the left was a portrait of a dwarf. The students were in the basement of the Old Chapel. Integrity closed the door to the passageway, just in time for them to hear footsteps rushing towards them.