Previously…

The group stumbled upon a sealed away tomb as they followed a mysterious dark liquid. Entering into the moonlit chamber they disturbed the rest of a vengeful spirit. Ratatoskr being the closest and most sensitive to the spiritual realm suffered a major blow, rendering him almost unable to even walk. Thanks to the knight guard, Drakes managed to drag the dark stallion away but they are faced with a situation hardly any fortunate.

---

“ Resent not the dead for passing the world without knowing peace. Their anger, their fear, their desperation sticking with their soul and binding them to the realm between. In lament and pain they are stuck and without help they shall remain forever and more. So facing such enemies bear no such negative emotions yourselves for it shall feed the vengeful spirit further. Calm your hearts and open your mind to see the path you need to make the spirit walk. ”

Standing at the entrance and gazing up to the pedestal holding the coffin the group of adventurers try their hardest to steel their souls and chase the panic which overtook their hearts in the heat of the moment far away. Among them it was Drakes who was used to such a situation, not letting his guard down, nor his mind being distracted by such banal emotions as fear. He was responsible for the safety of his comrades and will not fail. Nudging their rather lost leader with his nose, Drakes was unaware of his strength and rather slapped the pale horse on the neck than a gentle reminder. SOmething which was very much needed for Caspian to uncloud his mind. Eyes focused once again were searching for an answer to their escape. 

The luxury of time was not granted to the group over, as the dark liquid failed to take shape over and over and thus decided by a different approach. The dark matter splashed onto the ground, finding ways to soak into the soil and borrow the energy of the arcane what was left in the broken seal. Spectral hands emerged from below, grabbing onto the trapped party and pulling them down into the loosened soil. 

“ Capspian, I can't hold them off for long, for the love of the maker, get us out of here. “ - not only freeing himself from the grasps of the pesky grips of the magic, Drakes was also holding them off from the rest of the party the best he could, even his stamina was running short if it continued like this. 

“ Right, a way out. ” - clearly getting the message, the ghostly pale leader was taking a thorough look, jumping away and wiggling his way out of the grip of the hands, Caspian was doing a rather spectacular job staying free for the moment. - “ Hah, I can do this the whole night! Easy as pie- ” - a revelation as his hooves touch the cold stone. The spectral hands were retreating, their reach not able to reach the stallion standing on the stone footing. Was it because of the material? Or something else. He himself was unable to tell, however just a single glance was enough for Caelum to fill in the void.

“ It’s the seal drawn onto the stone. The magic still can't penetrate through the unbroken parts. If only we can- argh, let me go! ” - even though his monologue was cut short, Caelum’s words were enough to offer Drakes a rush of motivation, surging strength into his muscles to bite down on the hands trying to harm his most precious teammate and set Caelum free, while supporting the dark male, having most of his weight lifted by the knight. To be frank, not like Ratatoskr weighed much, the poor sole was all bones, and as light as the extra rations Drakes usually carries around. 

Being unhindered, Caelum managed to make a run towards their Captain and with further support from the pale horse, he was successfully helped to safety. Drakes needed no ushering himself and crushing the pesky magic filled hands with his heavy hooves he marched towards the seal protected stones himself. 

Crawling and dipping their nails into the stones only to burn on the spot, the magic animating the spectral hands were no more, retreated to the coffin and for a moment there was stillness. For a moment.

TBC