Devoid of a shred of flesh, the skeletal fingers dug out as a groan came from underneath.
"A zombie!" Jasper shouted as he unsheathed his blade.
"Not quite—same difference though," Finn corrected as he readied his daggers.
They all stood ready as the skeleton unearthed itself from the resting grounds of the colossal forest. What arose was a figure of bones, still dressed in half-shattered armor with a scarlet helmet intact.
Finn was about ready to strike as the undead picked itself out of the soil, taking a step towards it to strike its head before—
"Well, I was asleep quite awhile, methinks."
The undead spoke casually while brushing the dirt off of its bony body. Such a soft, unassuming tone brought the assassin to halt his killing intent.
"Oh? Did I give you all a scare? Sorry 'bout that—guess it's not normal to see a pile of bones talking!" The undead man apologized with a dry laugh.
"Yeah...not normal at all," Finn said, taking a step back to stand beside his companions.
The skeleton adjusted his own neck as it was out of place while casually speaking, "I mean no harm, so don't worry. Just a pile of old bones. Call me Geoffrey, or old bones—doesn't matter to me."
It was off-putting just how chipper the undead seemed, talking with excitement as though blood still ran through his veins.
Jasper stood shoulder to shoulder with Finn, getting close as he whispered in his ear, "What do you think, mate?"
"Dunno. Let's just hear him out," Finn responded in a hushed voice.
The skeleton sat upon a pommel, removing his helmet to reveal the face beneath, or the lack of one as it was all bone.
"You all are heading towards the Storm King's Keep, aren't you?" Geoffrey asked.
"What of it?" Magnus responded.
"You won't be able to get in," the skeleton promptly informed them.
"What do you mean?" Charlotte asked.
A small gust passed through the forest's graveyard of blades, carrying the silence with it as they all looked to the eccentric undead for an answer.
"Well, I guess I'm already dead, sorta. What I mean is, put an end to whatever existence you can call this," Geoffrey clarified. "This is no way to live. Bound like this for eternity, cursed to guard this forest by the Storm King...I just want some peace."
"Are you sure?" Charlotte asked hesitantly with a look of sadness in her eyes.
The usually chipper undead nodded, "Without a doubt. Young man, I can tell by that blade you're holding—you are an assassin, right?"
Finn confirmed it with a nod, "Yeah. Why?"
"You're a deliverer of death. I'm sure you can cut this curse," Geoffrey said, holding the key. "Do that, and the key is yours."
It was a grim request, leaving the others quiet as Finn stepped closer.
"You're completely sure about this? I'm sure I don't have to tell you this, but there's no coming back from this choice," Finn asked as he stood before the tired skeleton.
A quiet nod came from Geoffrey, "The world is at its end anyway. It's a husk, as am I; it's time to rest now."
Finn didn't say another word as he watched the skeleton lower his head to signal he was ready for it. The dagger was raised before he brought it down with a gleam of black—
["The Art of Dying"] [24:59:59]
A breathy gasp left the undead's mouth as the dagger pierced its body, "Ahh...I'm coming home, Maranda..."
From the blade, the strands of purified death took hold of what was already dead, granting to the weary bones a much longed for slumber.
["Geoffrey defeated."] ["Anarch Coin x50 obtained."]
[Experience Points: +500] [40505/50000]
[Assimilated ability from [Geoffrey]: "Magnificent Blade" 1 / 1]
As death was parted to the undead, the skeleton fell apart as the traces of life were extinguished.
"Rest easy, mate," Jasper solemnly said
Finn took the key as promised, tucking it in his pocket as he looked back at the others, who looked as though they just witnessed a funeral.
"Let's keep moving," Finn said.