With a series of swift blows, Lexi had managed to defeat the remaining skeletons. But as she turned to survey the carnage, she froze - her face going white as a shadow falls across her. Behind her, looming over the corpses of the fallen skeletons, stands a massive figure shrouded in darkness. Its eyes glint malevolently in the flickering firelight.
Following her gaze, Tarquin also saw the large figure before them. Stepping forward he prepared to use his magic once again.
However, before Tarquin can react, the dark figure lifts a boney hand and utters a single word: "Stop." Instantly, Tarquin's muscles lock up, his body frozen in place. Lexi whirls around, once again facing the massive figure. "Who are you?" she asks warily, her hand on her sword. "And what do you want here?"
The figure pauses for a long moment, seemingly contemplating its response. Finally, in a voice that echoes through the temple, it speaks. "I am Death," it rumbles, "and I have come for the artifact that I believe you also seek." Lexi and Tarquin exchanged a wary glance, unsure how to respond.
"If you are Death, you do not need an artifact that is designed for man to use." Tarquin spoke up, "That artifact belongs to the living. We are here to collect it, you should leave this place
Listening to him, Death laughs - a hollow, eerie sound that sends shivers down Tarquin and Lexi's spines. "Ah yes, the living," he says mockingly. "You believe yourselves to be more worthy of the artifact than the dead?" His eyes sweep over the corpses of the skeletons scattered around his feet.
Looking at the skeletons Lexi spoke up. "Those creatures are dead for a second time, why would they be worthy of receiving an artifact like the one we search for?"
Death inclines his head in agreement. "Indeed," he replies. "But tell me, which of you has a greater claim to the artifact? The living, who crave power and immortality, or the dead, who seek nothing but vengeance?"
Tarquin, still trying to reason with him, offered a solution. "By your way of thinking, aren't the dead simply those that failed to achieve immortality when they were alive? Therefore, why would they be worthy to receive the artifact, it is clear that the living should have the right to use it first."
Death pauses, as if considering this argument. Then he shakes his head. "No," he says firmly. "Immortality is not meant for the living. It belongs to the dead, who have been denied it once already. Give the artifact to me and I will leave this place."
Lexi shook her head, "We have not yet found it. We cannot give you that which we do not possess."
Death's eyes narrow. "Then continue your search elsewhere," he snarls. "For I will take what is mine." He begins to advance on Tarquin and Lexi, the bones in his body creaking ominously. "I suggest you leave this temple immediately."
While Death was talking Tarquin had been thinking about what they might be able to do. He assumed that while Death was here, on this planet, Death must be impacted by magic. With a plan now in place, Tarquin removed the hourglass and turned it on its side to slow time.
At Tarquin's gesture, time seems to slow to a crawl. While Death continued advancing, now his movements became painfully slow and deliberate. Lexi eyes the hourglass nervously, wondering how long they can hold off the Grim Reaper.
Tarquin spoke up, "While holding the hourglass it does not affect me, I can still move around freely."
"That's good. But what about me?" Lexi glanced at Tarquin, her expression a mix of worry and admiration for his courage. "Will it affect me?"
"Give it a try, it shouldn't affect you either since your part of my party and we are bound together." Tarquin reasoned.
Bracing herself for the worst, Lexi nods. As Tarquin predicted, she feels no ill effects from the hourglass. They see Death continue to move towards them, but at a pace that is almost comical in its slowness. Lexi grins at Tarquin, impressed by his ability to turn the tables on the Grim Reaper.
"Now, while we have the chance and before Death can get out of the trap let's find the artifact." Tarquin instructed.
Tarquin turned away from Death, who is still laboriously making his way towards them, and started searching the ruins of the temple. Lexi joined him, scanning the debris and rubble for any sign of the artifact. They work quickly, aware that Death is still advancing, however slowly.
After searching for what seemed like several hours they finally searched in the right spot. In a dark corner, they found a hidden compartment barely visible to the naked eye.
As Tarquin pulled the artifact from its hiding place, a burst of energy surges through the temple. Death let out a roar of frustration as the power of the artifact flows into Tarquin and Lexi, temporarily shielding them from Death's grasp. "Nonoo!" he cried, his hands clutching at the empty air. "It cannot be!"
The magic that had been placed around the artifact flowed around the two of them providing a shield that even Death knew he could not penetrate.
As Death watched helplessly the two absorb the power surrounding the artifact. After being beaten to the artifact he knew he would not be able to retrieve it from them at this time. As a result, He vanished as quickly as he had arrived, muttering darkly under his breath. "So be it," he growls. "I shall wait for another opportunity." With Death defeated, Tarquin and Lexi were free to depart the temple with the coveted artifact in their possession.
As they emerge from the temple, the sunlight hits their faces, and Tarquin and Lexi pause to blink away the spots in their eyes. "Well, that was easier than I expected," Lexi remarks with a smile. "Now we just need to figure out how to use this thing..."
"That's the easy part," Tarquin laughed quietly.