Taylor guided Storm through the ancient structure that was far larger than Storm had anticipated.
The inside of the structure was almost as large as the tunnel networks back at the hideout.
Most of the rooms were empty and devoid of any furniture whatsoever.
After a few minutes they entered a large hall of columns with a pile of skulls located in it's center.
"The Dark Dragon Lord Mortis's throne room.
The entrance to the catacombs is located behind it." Explained Taylor.
They made their way down the large black stairs and entered a large cavern filled with numerous side chambers.
They were all empty.
Seeing the object of Storm's fascination, Taylor gave a brief explanation.
"Those side chambers was where the army was entombed.
Storm eyed the empty chambers with dread.
After a moment, they reached a large raised platform.
At the top, trapped in a large green energy bubble was a massive scaled black dragon.
4 glowing crystals were placed on each corner of the platform.
A magical chain connected each crystal to the energy bubble.
The dragon was unnaturally thin with a mane of long black hair.
The scales around the upper part of his head and face was pure white and almost resembled a mask made of bone.
His eyes were two purple orbs with no other visible features deep inside his sockets.
Further adding to his Skeletal appearance.
Standing in front of the dragon was Calderon in his true undead form.
A thether of magic connected the two individuals and an aura of pure necrotic energy surrounded his old enemy.
The dragon was awake and clearly in pain as he desperately tried to break out of his magic prison
Unlike before, Calderon had an plate mail vest and greaves over his red robes, and in his hands was a large scythe made from bone.
"CALDERON!!" Called Taylor.
The Lich slowly turned towards him.
"Ahh 'Sir' Taylor!!
Welcome!!" Said the Lich.
He gave the paladin a mocking bow.
"Nice to see you again!
I must thank you for the service you and your company provided me!
I will have need of your services again for the next stage of my plans!
But first you will have to die!!" Said the Lich.
He then looked at Storm in disdain.
"And the dragon that has been such a thorn in my side!
Why am I not suprised to find you here, just as I'm about to ascend to godhood!
But I'm afraid you are out of luck!
I am more powerful than I have ever been and I don't see that blasted 'she-dragon' or that annoying specter with you!"
"This ends now, Calderon!!
This time I will return you to your grave permanently!!" Said Storm.
The Lich seemed amused by Storm's threat.
"You caused me considered trouble with your last move in Arcadia.
But don't worry!
You will have an eternity to pay off the debt after I kill you and raise you in my service!"
"Enough, Calderon!!
By the power bestowed upon me as a paladin of the Church of Light!
For your blasphemous use of dark magic to extend your life!
And your many treacherous acts!
I herby sentience you to death!!" Said Taylor.
The Lich laughed in response.
"Is that so?!
Come then 'Paladin'!
Let's see if you can measure up to a God!" Exclaimed the Lich.
He dissappeared from where he was standing, only to reappear in-between Storm and Taylor a moment later.
He held out a hand and a wave of sickly green necrotic energy with a skull embedded inside it struck Storm and knocked him away.
The Lich swung his scythe at Taylor who quickly raised his shield and blocked the hit.
The moment Storm hit the ground, he took off running at the Lich's exposed back as he and the Paladin continued to exchange blows.
Storm swung his sword but with a flash of light, the Lich suddenly dissappeared and reformed beside him.
The Lich made a fist and struck him in his side.
Storm felt a rib crack and he spat out blood as the blow connected.
Somehow the extra power hadn't just increased the Lich's magic potential.
It also enhanced his physical strength and getting hit by him was like being punched in the side by a giant.
As Storm went down on a knee, the Lich raised his scythe and prepared to behead him.
Before the deathblow could connect though, Taylor jumped in between them and blocked the blow.
"You're really starting to irritate me, Paladin!!" Exclaimed Calderon.
A wave of light flew from Taylor's body and knocked the Lich back to the stairs leading to the platform.
When the light cleared Storm saw that Taylor's armor had turned solid gold.
His white hair had lengthened and now flowed down to his shoulders.
He was floating in the air without his feet touching the ground and two ethereal silver feathered wings were connected to his back.
His sword was engulfed in golden fire.
The Lich gave a mocking slow clap.
"Ahh!! So you have become a 'Saint'!!
And I found you insufferable enough before!!
You're not the only one with new tricks though!!" Said Calderon.
His height suddenly grew to over 8 feet and two skeletal wings grew from his back.
A hood formed over his head and covered his face in shadow.
Making it impossible to identify any facial features.
Green flames engulfed the blade of his scythe.
All three combatants took their fight into the air.
Taylor reached the Lich first and struck with his flaming sword but the Lich simple swatted away the strike with a casual swing of his scythe.
Storm dove at him from the opposite side and the Lich summoned a wall of skulls to block his opponent's strike.
Unfortunately for the Lich, Storm had anticipated something like this.
He shifted into his true form and quickly doubled back on himself, swinging his muscular tail in the process.
The limb shattered the wall of skulls, before continuing on and striking the Lich in the chest.
He flew like an arrow through the air, before colliding with one of the cavern walls.
The entire cavern shook from the impact and several loose stones fell from the ceiling and struck the ground below.
"That won't stop him for long!!
We can't beat him through conventional means!
We need to strip him of his stolen power somehow!!: called Storm.
They both seemed to have the same idea as they looked down at the crystals keeping Mortis contained.
Without another word, they both dived down at different crystals.
Before Storm could reach his target though, the Lich suddenly appeared in front of him again and blocked his way.