《Rise of the Blood God [Vampire Isekai LitRPG]》 Prologue - In search of a God Radrick impaled the demon with his divine blade, blood gushing from the wound. With a kick he pulled his weapon free and continued his advance. Imps and other low-level demons swarmed him, but they fell like wheat to a farmer¡¯s scythe. Outside the castle a fierce battle still raged. The armies of the Demon, Dragon, and Fey gods clashed, their titanic struggle rending the earth. But the only victor this day would be him, the one who orchestrated this rather loud distraction. For up ahead, situated atop a small pedestal, was the Conduit. Radrick split the last demon in two, then rushed for the orb. Its blue glow cast the wide chamber in sapphire hues, shadows dancing across the darkened walls. A large object smashed into the fortress, the far wall nearly crumbling. He was running out of time. Radrick was strong, one of humanity''s best fighters, but even he wouldn¡¯t survive an all-out assault. As soon as the demons figured out what he was up to, it would all be over. So, with a final burst of resolve, he scooped the Conduit up in his bloodied gauntlets. As soon as the small orb lifted free a great rumbling consumed the fortress. Dust fell from the high, vaulting ceiling and a dry growl enveloped the room. Radrick sighed. ¡°I guess they know I¡¯m in here now.¡± Demons flooded from above, their jaws snapping with bloodlust. Radrick quickly cast [Lesser Protection from Evil] and [Greater Protection from Evil] and brought his sword up just in time to block an overhead swing. Wielding his blade with one hand was difficult, but he managed to push the axe wielding demon back without dropping the Conduit. ¡°Stupid little human,¡± it snarled. ¡°Your kind never understands when to give up.¡± ¡°It¡¯s one of our better qualities,¡± Radrick replied. ¡°You¡¯re never getting this back.¡± ¡°We shall see.¡± The demon raised its axe, more of them pouring from the darkness above. Radrick charged forward, his blade suddenly glowing in multi-colored light. He caught the demon in the chest, the tip of his sword driving straight through to the other side. Black blood spilled from its open mouth and its red eyes widened in shock. It dropped its axe but pulled Radrick in. Pinned against its bulk, he thrashed and kicked. Something hard slammed into his back, the air leaving him. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Desperate, he called down his last usage of [Holy Flame] on himself. The demon that gripped him erupted in a font of blue flame, its arms loosening. Radrick pushed away, the sacred spell mostly repelled by his divine armor. Now free, he backed away, deflected another axe blow, and chopped at a demon¡¯s wrist. The room was full of them now, their flapping wings keeping most of their hulking number airborne. A few had landed on the steps leading toward the chamber¡¯s exit, using their bodies to form a barrier of horn, teeth, and muscle. Looking around, Radrick didn¡¯t much like his odds. ¡°Well, who¡¯s next?¡± He grit his teeth. They came at him in waves, fangs bared. He hacked one arm free of a shoulder, took an axe blow on his breast plate, and sliced through a face. Black blood pooled around him as the bodies began to pile. But each demon he killed was soon replaced by another, and by the time they retreated Radrick was breathing heavy, his arm numb. He looked into the glowing orb still clutched tightly in his hand. The Conduit. It was their last hope. The final piece of the summoning ritual to bring a hero into this world. One who would break the level barrier and ascend to godhood. But Radrick knew that he wouldn¡¯t survive another wave of attacks, and that meant he had to improvise. He tossed down his holy blade and took the Conduit up in both hands, thrusting it toward the sky. His comrades had planned to summon someone strong of spirit, someone bold enough to lead humanity to victory. Attempting a summoning without the proper ritual would summon someone at random, and it would require a sacrifice as payment. But he couldn''t allow the Conduit to remain in demonic possession, for he knew they plotted to summon a champion of their own. All Radrick could hope for was that whoever was summoned, they had a hero¡¯s heart. ¡°With my life as payment, I, Radrick Von Rostcliff, summon forth a being from another world!¡± Upon completing his demands, a wave of bright light swallowed the room and Radrick collapsed. The edges of his vision darkened, his breath slowed. Whoever you are, I pity you. The other gods will come for you, but I have hope. I have to. With a smile, Radrick¡¯s eyes closed for the last time. It would be up to fate to handle things from here. Chapter 1 - Death and Rebirth Darian sat dying in his hospital bed, vaguely aware of the people around him. They existed as blurred shapes and distant voices, lost behind the beeping and churning of machines. He was tired, more tired than he¡¯d ever been. He¡¯d been battling leukemia for ten of his twenty-two years, and it seemed his time fighting was at an end. A part of him despaired at his fate, to die so young, having never seen the world. His illness kept him indoors most of his life, his days spent gaming away the time. Girlfriends, parties, friends¡ªthese were all things he missed out on. Things he would never see. When his eyes shut for the last time, it was as if a warm blanket had been wrapped around him. He could hear his mother¡¯s worried voice, his father¡¯s stern commands for calm. Is this death? Darian reached out to them, but his hands wouldn¡¯t follow his commands. He was floating, the hospital room shrinking into the blackness below him. A churning swirl of colors hung overhead, but he stopped just before he reached it. ¡°What is it that you desire?¡± A voice asked, muffled and distorted as if it was reaching across a great distance. To not be sick. Darian thought in response. Many late nights had been spent in prayer for that very same wish. To never be sick again. To be strong. To have blood that isn¡¯t poison. ¡°Very well.¡± The voice was closer now. ¡°By blood you were undone and by blood you will be remade.¡± An orb of white light hovered near him, vibrating with power. ¡°Blood will be your weapon. Your power. Blood will be your dominion.¡± Darian fell away from the light, the orb floating down with him. He raised his arm and saw that it was a congealed mass of small lights, moving and pulsing, shining like stars in the night sky. Where am I? Darian tried to ask, but he had no mouth to speak from. The orb seemed to hear his question, for it pulsated in response. ¡°You have been chosen, Darian. You will be reborn.¡± Reborn? Darian would have laughed if his new form allowed it. Something like that was too good for him. Maybe this whole thing was his mind¡¯s last burst of imagination before oblivion? Either way, he would play along for now. ¡°Yes, you will be reborn. You are the last of the Aspirants. Fate has decreed it.¡± Darian floated in silence, his mind racing. Thoughts came at him too fast to comprehend, and he was somewhat aware that his body had started hardening, forming into something new. What is happening? Darian tried to thrash about, but his body was condensed, writhing and flowing like waves in high tide. ¡°Do not panic. You are being remade. Let your soul rest. A new world awaits.¡± *** Darian opened his eyes. The moon hung high above him, glowing brightly in the night sky. With a throbbing head, he sat up. Trees flanked him on all sides, their bright green leaves tussled by a soft breeze. ¡°Where¡­am I?¡± Darian¡¯s limbs protested, but he forced himself to stand. It was as he stood, and a new gust of wind blew in, that he realized he was naked. Instinctively he covered himself with his hands and glanced about, half expecting to see someone watching nearby. After his moment of panic passed, he relaxed and peered between the trees, his vision surprisingly great in the moonlit night. ¡°Hello!¡± he called, his hands cupped around his mouth. ¡°Is anyone there!¡± Suddenly, he remembered the orb, remembered floating. Remembered dying. ¡°Hello¡­¡± he mumbled, his hands flopping down to his sides. ¡°This isn¡¯t real, is it?¡± He slapped his face, the sound almost deafening in the silence. Okay this is real. Or at least this pain is. He walked over to a nearby rock and sat down, thoughts swirling. Resting his head in his hands, he did his best to rationalize the situation. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn¡¯t quite believe what was happening. ¡°Am I really in a new world?¡± Darian inspected the pine trees, the lush grass, the gray rock he sat upon. All were unremarkable. He might not have been outside much in the last ten years, but it all seemed like the kind of thing he could have seen back home in Vermont. This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. Home. Darian¡¯s gut twisted at the thought. He saw his mother¡¯s sad face, his father¡¯s best attempts at comforting her. They would both be in a lot of pain now. Probably planning a funeral for him. I¡¯m sorry that I wasn¡¯t strong enough. Darian sucked back the tears forming in his eyes and stood. ¡°I can worry about all that later.¡± He tried to relax, pushing his mounting panic back the best he could. But first things first. Darian spun around, each direction nothing but endless forest. ¡°Where the hell am I?¡± Memories of watching survival shows late into the night passed through his mind. I need to find the three essentials: Food, water, and shelter. His stomach groaned. I guess this new body came with an empty stomach. Great. He shook his head. ¡°But seriously, where the hell am I? Where should I go?¡± A strange, translucent box appeared to his right, with ¡°???¡± centered at its top border. It took Darian a moment to realize it was a map. The immediate area around him was clear, visible as if he was being watched from high above. But the surrounding forest was blacked out. Not very helpful. On instinct, Darian flicked his wrist and dismissed the map. He stared down at his oddly pale hand. How did I know how to do that? Now curious, he flicked his wrist again and brought the map back up. I wonder if that¡¯s the only thing I can do? Letting his instincts guide him, he brought up his right hand and swiped to the left. Another box appeared, this one with various sub menus.
Menu
Oh! An inventory! Maybe there are clothes in it? Darian touched the inventory button with enthusiasm, only to be met with a blank, empty screen comprised of small squares within a grid. Wonderful. Trying not to dwell on his disappointment, his eyes were drawn to [Mythic Ascension] and his locked class sheet. His character sheet was also curious to him, but these were all things he could explore later when he wasn¡¯t standing naked in the middle of a forest. He dismissed the map and other menu and looked for signs of civilization in the surrounding woodland. When he found none, he had to make a very important decision. Which direction should he go? Through a break in the trees, he could just make out the vague shape of a mountain in the distance. Mountains would mean rivers, which could mean people. Even if this was some kind of advanced civilization like Earth''s, rivers would still be something people used. Assuming I¡¯ve been reborn in a world that has people. Doing his best not to let his thoughts run rampant, Darian set off for the mountain. It was far, but it was the only landmark he could see. If he was lucky, he would find helpful people and avoid starvation. If he wasn¡¯t lucky¡­well that didn¡¯t bear thinking about. I would have already been tired in my old body. Darian hadn¡¯t moved far, but he could already tell his new body was much sturdier than his last. Not a very difficult feat, but it brought a weak smile to his face. Wishing to test his limits, he broke into a sprint and was impressed by his own speed and agility. He vaulted over felled trees, dashed across rocks and nimbly swerved around densely packed pines. Wow, I¡¯m not even breathing heavy! It was then that a realization struck him. He wasn¡¯t not only breathing heavily. He wasn¡¯t breathing at all. Grinding to a halt, Darian brought the back of his hand up to his mouth. He waited for warmth to spread across his knuckles. It never did. Am I dead? He looked down. His body was milk pale, but his legs, arms, and hands were all vaguely the same shape they had been in his previous life. The next thing he checked was his pulse, which thankfully was strong. Feeling relieved, he decided to take a break and collect his thoughts by a small pond off to his left. Upon approaching it, a strange smell invaded his nostrils. It smells delicious, whatever it is. The closer he got to the pond, the stronger the smell became. His mouth watered, the coppery scent quickening his pace. Soon his thoughts were consumed with the intoxicating aroma. He licked his lips, careful not to cut himself on the fangs now protruding from his mouth. A small cave yawned in a rock face by the pond¡¯s edge, the succulent odor emanating from its entrance. Darian approached sluggishly now, his senses overwhelmed. Other smells mingled with the first¡ªdecay, wet fur, and something else. The snarl is what finally brought him to his senses. Inside the shallow cave was a large, dark furred wolf, its right leg cut open, blood oozing from the gash. It gnawed on a long dead rabbit, the crunching echoing off the cavern walls. Upon noticing Darian, it rose to its feet, its hackles raised. Darian, his mind still in a half fog, tried to back away, but the blood oozing from the wolf¡¯s wounds kept his attention. This close, the smell was almost overpowering. Get a hold of yourself! Darian shook his head, finally focused on the approaching threat. The wolf was only a few steps away, its gums pulled back to show rows of thick, sharp teeth. ¡°Easy now,¡± Darian said with his palms facing out. ¡°I¡¯ll just be going¡­¡± Darian glanced at the mountain and the hair on the back of his neck shot up. Just barely over the rim of the distant peaks, a pinkish light grew. The sun. A jolt ran through Darian, a desperate rush of adrenaline and primal fear. For reasons he couldn¡¯t quite place, he knew he couldn¡¯t let the light touch him. He started to run, but where could he go? The canopy was thick, but not thick enough to blot out the sun. No, he had only one choice. He would have to take the cave. Chapter 2 - First Taste of Blood The top rim of the sun peeked over the mountains, gold light splitting the grass. Darian¡¯s legs moved before his thoughts did. He rushed forward, dodged the wolf¡¯s bite, and rolled into the cave. The ground was littered with small animal bones and patches of decayed fur, but something in the corner caught Darian¡¯s eye. It was the skeleton of a man, his rusted iron breastplate thick with cobwebs. Wrapped around his waist was a belt, the hilt of a sword jutting from it. With the sound of the wolf¡¯s paws close behind, Darian shot forward and pulled the blade free.
Item Obtained: Rusty Iron Short Sword
The information floated as white text over the sword in Darian¡¯s hands. He didn¡¯t have time to dwell on it, however, as the wolf rammed into his back. Its jaw clamped onto his leg as it forced him onto the ground, pain exploding from the wound. Thrashing, Darian managed to buck it off. He¡¯d hoped his new body would come with some skill with a blade, but the lump of iron in his hand might as well have been a stick for how well he knew how to use it. He whacked the wolf across the head, the dull blade bouncing off but leaving a nasty gash. Darian jumped to his feet and kicked the wolf in the chest. It snarled, rolled across the ground and came back harder. Darian swung the sword downward, but the beast was too fast. It forced him against the wall, its claws slicing down his chest and stomach. Snarling himself, Darian punched the wolf with enough force to hobble it for a moment. Using this opportunity, he took the blade in both hands and swung with all his strength. It cracked against the wolf''s skull and sent it reeling, but it wasn¡¯t finished yet. It tried to charge again but slipped on its wounded leg and ended up prone. Darian rushed at it and gave it another whack over the head. The beast thrashed, shuddered, then lay still, blood oozing freely from the cut on its leg.
Enemies Defeated [Wolf Lv. 1] Class XP Gained: 3
Without thinking, Darian dropped the sword and fell to his knees. He lifted the wolf up to his face and sunk his fangs into its neck. Warm, fresh blood flowed down his throat and spread across his chest. As he drank, he felt the pain in his body lessen, his mind overcome with euphoric bliss. He drank his fill, then tossed the wolf to the side.
Lesser Wolf Blood
Darian stared at the floating text, his mind clearing. What¡­what have I done? He looked down at his bloody hands and the desiccated body of the wolf. He expected to feel sick, to feel repulsed. But all he felt upon looking at the blood-soaked ground was satisfaction. ¡°What am I?¡± Darian stumbled to his feet and made for the pond, but stopped as the sun engulfed the area outside. With a hiss, he stepped back into the shadows. Sliding as far back into the cave as he could, a rushing fear coursed through his veins. Knowing looking at the light would drive him mad, he closed his eyes. He tried to focus his thoughts, to ponder what kind of monster he''d been made into. But from the moment his fangs pierced the wolf¡¯s throat, he knew what he was. A vampire. *** Darian¡¯s eyes fluttered open to find the last rays of sunset receding from the forest. He stumbled his way to the pond and washed the dried blood off his body. The wounds the wolf left in him had already healed slightly, but they still stung in the open air. Puffing out his cheeks, Darian sat atop a rock at the pond¡¯s edge and looked into the moonlit water. To his surprise, his reflection stared back at him. In the clear waters he saw his white hair and a set of crimson eyes. His ears were slightly pointed, and though his face looked somewhat like it did in his previous life, his features were sharper, a primal edge to them. He sat back, stunned. This isn¡¯t what I wanted. His time between his last life and this one was a blur, like a half-remembered dream. But he remembered saying something about blood. Did I do this to myself? He thought of his parents. What will the people of this world think of me? Back in the cave, he stared down at the wolf¡¯s body. Dried blood pooled around it, the sharp cut along its leg showing the pink flesh beneath. ¡°You might have won if your leg wasn¡¯t hurt,¡± Darian mumbled. ¡°I guess fate was on my side.¡± He dropped to one knee. Strangely, the thought of sucking up old blood made him feel sick. I guess my body wants it fresh. He stood and walked back into the night air. As he stood in the open, his stomach grumbled and a deep hunger set in. How much blood am I supposed to drink? Not knowing what else to do, he opened his menu.
Menu
Out of curiosity, he opened the map first. The cave behind him had become marked, simply titled ¡°Cave¡±. Useful if I get lost, I suppose. After dismissing his map, he tapped the [Character Sheet] menu.
Character Sheet Name: Darian Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. Race: Lesser Vampire Total Level: 1 Race Level: 1 Class Level: 0 HP: 70 Attributes [Unique Skills] [Racial Skills] [Class Skills] (N/A) [Traits] [Triumphs]
Touching his individual stats gave him more detailed information, like the fact his base level for each attribute was 10 and the only thing modifying stats besides dexterity was his race. His dexterity was being boosted by drinking the wolf¡¯s blood, but even though the effect was listed as ¡°temporary¡± it didn¡¯t give a duration for the effect. He investigated [Unique skills] next, hoping to find something useful.
Unique Skills
[Bloodthirst] Gave him temporary improved passive healing when he drank fresh blood and [Blood Infusion] gave him temporary stat boosts and abilities based on the blood he drank. These lasted until he drank blood again, meaning that the (+2) Dexterity he was receiving from the wolf would be replaced upon his next meal. If I can find another meal. None of these have been helpful so far. Feeling a little desperate, he went for [Racial Skills] next.
Racial Skills
Letting himself feel a tad bit hopeful, Darian inspected the solitary skill.
Command Animal Range: 30 feet Uses: Unlimited (conditional)
¡°Okay, that might be something to work with.¡± Darian closed all his menus and paced about, his stomach lowly grumbling. ¡°The only issue is, how do I know what level the animal is? And how do I go about finding one?¡± Being in a forest, Darian doubted he would have much trouble spotting an animal, but he still didn¡¯t know if he could charm it or even how to cast the spell.
Quest added: Animal hunt. Objective: Successfully charm and capture at least (one) animal before sunrise.
The text popped up before Darian¡¯s eyes with the sound of trumpets. It shocked him bad enough that he leapt back and stumbled, falling into the mouth of the cave. Something sharp jabbed his back, and he had to peel the dead rabbit from his skin. A rabbit¡­a rabbit! If any animal was level zero, it had to be something small. Rats, squirrels, rabbits. The forest had to be full of them! Waiting a moment to let himself calm down, Darian ducked into the underbrush by the pond. At first he considered staying there until something wandered by for a drink, but he could be waiting for hours. Plus, he wasn¡¯t sure what time of day rabbits and the like got around. He might have better luck inspecting the trees. The last time Darian climbed a tree, he was eleven years old. It was only a few months later that he would be diagnosed with leukemia, from where his long downhill struggle began. Still, he found that climbing was much easier now, sickness or no. There was a strength to his grip that he never enjoyed in his past life, and even if the thought of being a vampire still repulsed him, he¡¯d be lying if he said he didn¡¯t enjoy being able to move freely. He didn¡¯t find anything in the first tree, or the second, or the third for that matter. Growing impatient, Darian sprang up the closest tree. A surprised squirrel leapt up, eyes groggy from sleep. It dashed away, readying itself to jump to safety. ¡°No!¡± Darian reached out and his thoughts touched the squirrel. [Command Animal] was cast subconsciously, and the squirrel swiveled, its eyes taking on a light green glow. Darian could feel the connection between him and the squirrel, his thoughts holding dominion over its mind. It was as if an invisible tether was drawn loosely between the two, with Darian¡¯s commands wordlessly flowing between them. Follow. The squirrel obeyed. He had the small creature follow him back to the pond, a nipping guilt in his gut. He knew where food came from in his past life, but the little squirrel was cute. He couldn¡¯t deny that. Darian recalled a hunting trip he took with his father when he was ten. Darian spent the whole trip hoping they wouldn¡¯t find anything. His father¡¯s description of gutting and skinning a deer had killed all of his enthusiasm. They never ended up finding anything, much to his father¡¯s dismay. Had Darian known it would be the last time they had such an opportunity, he would have made more of an effort. The squirrel looked up at Darian, its eyes clouded in a swirling green veil. Darian dropped to one knee and gripped the squirrel¡¯s neck in his hand. With the strength he had now, all it would take was a simple squeeze to end its life. ¡°It¡¯s funny,¡± Darian mumbled. ¡°I always knew where my meat came from before, but I never felt like this.¡± The squirrel¡¯s blood pulsed beneath his fingers and his mouth watered, his fangs starting to protrude. ¡°I thank you for the strength you will provide me.¡± He wasn¡¯t sure why he said that, especially to a squirrel of all things, but it eased the pressure he felt building in his chest. He tightened his fist and the squirrel¡¯s neck snapped. Its head lolled to the side, the green mist over its eyes evaporating. Darian had to hold himself back from tearing into its body. But that would make him no better than an animal. With great effort, he brought the squirrel up to his mouth and sank his fangs into its neck. It ran dry quickly, its blood hardly anything compared to that of the wolf.
Minor Animal Blood
Darian gently laid the squirrel''s body by the entrance of the cave, deciding to bury it and the wolf before the sun rose. He had no shovel, but his body was reinvigorated. If he couldn¡¯t find some other solution, his hands would have to do. A blaring, triumphant horn filled Darian¡¯s ears accompanied by a notification.
Quest Completed: Animal Hunt
Darian''s class level appeared before his eyes, changing from Lv.0 (3/5) to Lv.1 (3/20). After the text faded, a new screen appeared¡ªClass selection. Chapter 3 - A New Beginning The class selection screen floated before Darian¡¯s eyes. The list of available classes was short, numbering only three.
[Warrior] [Rogue] [Mage]
Upon closer inspection, Darian realized the list of visible classes extended, branching out from the three starter classes in a massive, interconnected web. But the names of all the other classes were grayed out. Linking the [Warrior] and [Mage] classes was a class called [Spellblade]. Upon touching the class¡¯s name, another screen appeared, listing its requirements.
Spellblade Requirements
The further away from the starter classes he looked, the more extreme the requirements became. Some, like [Rune Lord] required levels in two different advanced classes. None required anything higher than Lv. 10 in any one class, which led Darian to believe that 10 was the highest level any individual class could reach. Eventually the list was cut short at a submenu titled [Unique Classes] that Darian couldn¡¯t access. Looking over the three starter classes and the first few advanced offerings, he did his best to make an educated decision. Since his illness kept him indoors most of his life, gaming had been one of Darian¡¯s favorite pastimes. RPGs and strategy games were his favorite, though he would never claim to be good at either of them. RPGs in particular were more for role playing than trying to Min-Max or learn the game¡¯s system. But this world was real, with real threats and dangers. With that in mind, he went over the three classes on offer again and again, weighing what could be the pros and cons of each. Rogue and Warrior would boost his physical stats and give him basic knowledge of weapons, while Mage would expand his knowledge of both the arcane and the world around him. When gaming, Darian always gravitated toward either pure magic casters or warriors. Though with the way the class progression seemed set up, classing into different types seemed beneficial. The only class he was quick to dismiss was Rogue, at least for now. It would make him faster, increase his Perception, and give him basic knowledge of traps and lockpicking. It would also make him proficient with bows, but he didn¡¯t have one at the moment or a way to get one. Mage would give him access to the basic offensive spells [Flare] and [Shard]. This would also boost his Arcane attribute, which would boost his magic damage, and also Fortitude which would increase his resistance to enemy spells. The fight with the wolf played again in his mind, the desperate, close struggle between them being brought to a brutal close by the rusty sword still in the cave. If it wasn¡¯t for that sword, he might have died. That, combined with his enjoyment of his current physical abilities, pushed Darian to select Warrior. I can also choose Mage when I level up again, if I end up wanting to do that. The system seemed to incentivize multiclassing, so he saw no reason to pick anything other than the option that would help him the most in the immediate future. As soon as his fingers pressed [Warrior] on the screen, a list of the classes¡¯ benefits appeared along with a message asking if he was sure about his decision.
Warrior Lv. 1
Are you sure? (Yes)(No)
After he hit (Yes) the screen disappeared, and a red glow enveloped him. Though it was slight, he felt himself grow stronger. He tested his arms and legs, the small amount of newfound strength flowing through his body. He opened his main menu and selected [Class Skills] which was now open to him.
Class Skills
Determined Strike
Damage modification? The sword mentioned something about that too. Curious, he retrieved it from where he¡¯d tossed it after his fight with the wolf.
Item Obtained: Rusty Iron Short Sword This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Just like how his thoughts were tethered to the squirrel when he was using [Command Animal], his thoughts seemed to have a connection with the sword. By asking What is 1/4th of my strength? With his thoughts, a small box appeared with the number (4) at its center. Good thing it does this for me, I hate math. Feeling a little overwhelmed with all the information he¡¯d just absorbed, Darian took a few practice swings with the sword. It felt¡­different somehow. He wasn¡¯t some hardened sword master or anything, but there was a slight grace to his swings. He instinctively knew how to pivot his hips with each strike and how to guide the edge of the blade for maximum damage. Satisfied, he returned to the skeleton of the dead warrior. Though his bones looked a bit gnawed on, it was clear by his rusty armor that he¡¯d been dead long before the wolf arrived. Looking down at the wolf¡¯s body, Darian inspected the slash across its leg. He¡¯d originally assumed that it was wounded by another animal, but his newfound knowledge told him the blow was delivered by a blade. One much like the short sword he carried. Need to be careful, then. For all Darian knew, everyone in this new world was a vampire. But until he knew how the people of this world would react to him, he would keep his distance. The wolf¡¯s wound was still mostly fresh when Darian arrived, probably delivered only a few hours before he showed up. Whoever did it was probably still alive, maybe even close. Darian glanced out at the thick woodlands and remembered that he was still naked. I really need to do something about that. Placing the sword down he inspected the warrior¡¯s torn attire. What remained of his clothes existed as tattered strips. Jerking on the man¡¯s armor, Darian discovered a mostly intact shirt behind it. It was moth eaten and smelt like stale urine, but it would have to do. He tried to remove the chest piece gently, but the remaining leather straps binding the front and back together were clamped tightly to the skeleton. Sorry about this. With a jerk, he tore it free, the rattling of loose bones consuming the small cave. Blowing some dust off the hunk of iron in his hands, Darian placed it on the ground and set to removing the shirt. It¡¯s a shame the chest piece doesn¡¯t fit me. I have a gut feeling I could use it. With the shirt free, he gathered some of the loose strips of cloth that used to be the man¡¯s pants. His Warrior class didn¡¯t tell him how to fashion something wearable out of what he gathered, but he¡¯d tied a few knots and worked with cloth a bit in his past life. He never imagined the time he spent around his mother while she knitted, crocheted, and tailored would come in handy. He used to annoy her so much that she¡¯d send him back to his room. Though he couldn¡¯t blame her, he did have a habit of cutting up fabric and making silly costumes out of them. ¡°Look Mom, I¡¯m a super hero!¡± Darian smiled. Thank you, Mom. It took him longer than he would have liked, but he ended up fashioning himself something resembling a loin cloth. He slipped it on and adjusted it. He probably looked ridiculous, but it was better than leaving all his private bits open for the world to see. At least now if I see someone and they start screaming it¡¯s not because I¡¯m flashing them with my junk. He grabbed the warrior¡¯s sword belt and strapped them to his waist. It surprisingly fit well, and he felt a moment of satisfaction as he slid the blade into its scabbard. ¡°Now for my next bit of business.¡± He looked around at the scattered bones that littered the cave floor. ¡°I need to do something about this mess.¡± There was no way to know how long Darian would need to use the cave for shelter, and it made no sense to leave it in the filthy state it was in. The first thing he did was move all the bones out into a pile, careful to keep the warrior¡¯s bones separate. He might have been long dead, but he had helped Darian survive. It would be disrespectful to bury someone like that with a bunch of animal bones. ¡°How do I go about digging a hole?¡± Darian found a small clearing down the rock face that housed his cave. It would do, but he didn¡¯t have a shovel. The dirt was soft, and he was strong, but there had to be a better way than using his hands. It¡¯s a shame the warrior didn¡¯t also die with a shovel. Back at the cave, Darian scooped up the metal cuirass. He flipped it this way and that, noticing the curvature along the bottom. Maybe? He brought it to the pond and grabbed a large rock. The chest piece was too small for him to wear, so smashing it into some kind of useful tool wasn¡¯t too much of a waste. He tore out the leather connecting the two halves and put them aside. Might come in handy later. Using the rock, he beat one side of the iron chunk in the middle and upper half, creating a larger divot. With a smile he brought it up to the moonlight. It wasn¡¯t quite a real shovel, but it was wider and deeper than his hands. He would have to make do. He wrapped his hands with some of the leftover cloth to avoid cutting them and jabbed his makeshift shovel into the ground. It wasn¡¯t elegant, and it probably wasn¡¯t much more time efficient than using his hands, but he felt a moment of pride as he scooped the first round of dirt up and tossed it away. It¡¯s silly. He thought to himself. I¡¯m having fun digging a damn hole. But he couldn¡¯t help but smile. A year ago, his health had worsened, leaving him completely bedridden. Going to the bathroom was a struggle then, but now he was strong enough to do something. He was making a change, creating something with his hands that wasn¡¯t there before. He dug faster and faster, and before long had a hole a few feet deep. He gathered up the random animal bones that¡¯d been in the cave and tossed them in. I hope I dug this deep enough. I really don¡¯t want another wolf on my hands. Speaking of that. The wolf¡¯s body was thrown in next. Then he placed the squirrel in, gently laying it down on top of the wolf. With all of them inside there was still a few feet to work with. He contemplated leaving the hole open, after all it wasn¡¯t as if these were the last animals he would need to kill. But in the end, he pushed the dirt over them, resolving to dig more holes when the time came. The warrior was buried a few paces away, his hole a slight bit deeper. Darian made sure to inspect the shape of the man¡¯s skull and teeth before he filled the grave in. No fangs or anything out of the ordinary. I guess I can rule out everyone being vampires in this world. When he was finished, Darian walked back to the large rock by the pond. He sat atop it and crossed his legs, looking out over the spray of multicolored stars that dotted the sky. A pang of loneliness washed over him. He tried to bury it, suppress it under the wonders of the dazzling horizon, but he couldn¡¯t. In truth, he didn¡¯t have much in his past life. A small bedroom choked with fantasy books and magazines, a desk with a gaming PC and a warm bed. He had no friends, the few acquaintances he had existing only as occasional online gaming partners. Definitely no girlfriend. No siblings or pets. But he had his parents. Despite his waning health, they never lost hope that he would beat his cancer. What¡¯s done is done. He grinned at the stars. Even if I¡¯m some kind of monster, even if this world hates me, I¡¯ve been given a blessing. A second chance. There was a whole world stretched out before him to explore, one that he didn¡¯t have to see through a screen or imagine through a page. He could walk on his own two feet, use his own two hands. And he would. Darian stood, his shoulders proud, his eyes wet with tears of both joy and sorrow. I will not mope. I¡¯ll miss you, Mom and Dad, always. But I will seize this new life and drink my fill of it. I¡¯ll become the kind of man you¡¯d be proud of. He scanned the forest, the distant mountain, felt the rush of cool air on his skin, the scent of pine and wildflowers in his nose. He stretched his arms out wide as if welcoming this new world in his embrace. This was his new beginning. Chapter 4 - Lake of Blood Darian hopped off the rock and took his first official step into his new life. Digging had consumed a handful of hours, but dawn was still some ways off. It wasn¡¯t enough time to go properly exploring the surrounding wilderness, which was what his heart was yearning for. What to do with the time I have left? He padded to the cave entrance and leaned against the cool stone, pulling his main menu up with a swipe of his right hand.
Menu
[Mythic Ascension] still stuck out to him, the level requirement in particular. He tapped at it with his finger hoping some menu would appear and explain things. When none materialized, he opened up his [Character Sheet] instead.
Character Sheet Name: Darian Race: Lesser Vampire Total Level: 2 Race Level: 1 Class Level: 1 HP: 80/80 Attributes [Unique Skills] [Racial Skills] [Class Skills] [Triumphs] [Traits]
He still hadn¡¯t taken the time to inspect [Triumphs] or [Traits] and decided he might as well now.
Triumphs Current Triumphs: None Triumphs will appear as you accomplish great feats of strength, skill, or cunning.
Okay, not exactly very descriptive on what these actually do. Guess I¡¯ll just have to wait until I get one.
Traits
Weakness to holy 100%!? He supposed it made some sense; he was a vampire after all. But he didn¡¯t feel all that evil. Guess whatever system this world runs on doesn¡¯t see the difference between how I act and what I am. Good to know. Looking at the list over again, fatigue immunity caused him some confusion. I still feel the need to sleep during the day. But come to think of it, I haven¡¯t gotten truly tired from anything I¡¯ve done so far. Including digging those holes. The words Instant Death caused him no small measure of anxiety. What the hell does that even mean? He took comfort in knowing, whatever it was, he was immune from it. A strange scent prickled Darian¡¯s nose, something between wet fur and mold. He pulled himself from the wall and peered into the darkness. Three hunched shapes shifted in the underbrush, taking off on all fours when they noticed he was watching. Darian drew the short sword still strapped to his hip and inched forward, scanning the shadows. After several minutes of silence, he sheathed his blade. Whatever the creatures were, they had long since vanished. What if they come back? He glanced at the cave, noting its complete lack of defense. Not much I can do about that right now. Maybe those were just some foxes or something harmless? His gut told him otherwise, but going after the blurred figures didn¡¯t seem like a good idea. Instead, he went back into the cave and watched and waited. If I¡¯m attacked here during the day¡­ He shook his head, dispelling his anxieties. It was late, near sunup, and his eyelids began to droop. This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. *** The sound of crackling thunder woke him, but he was no longer in his cave. He was standing in the middle of a ruined battlefield, corpses of men, elves, and other races strewn about him in piles. The earth was blackened as far as he could see, scorched in places and torn in others. A crimson moon hung high in the sky, bathing the abandoned battlefield in an eerie, red glow. Arcs of lightning struck out from an approaching storm, the sound nearly deafening. Where am I? Darian spun and took a step, his feet splashing in a puddle. Waves undulated out from his feet, and he realized he was standing in a lake of blood. The sight of it made his mouth water, and his fangs emerged. He tried to fight the urge to stoop, to drink his fill, but he was powerless before the succulent meal at his feet. He half fell, half knelt onto the ground and pressed his lips to the pool. Somehow the blood was still hot. It warmed his throat, then his belly, the heat rising inside him. As he drank, the heat swelled and churned, burning like blazing coals. Darian stumbled back, his fingers clutching at his throat. He felt as though he was somehow choking. Frantically he thrashed about, his insides molten hot. ¡°This isn¡¯t what I wanted,¡± a man¡¯s voice said from behind. Darian turned to see a tall, bearded man in the gilded white armor of a paladin. He held a gleaming blade in one hand and a glowing blue orb in the other. He was frowning at Darian, his face a set of hard lines. ¡°This isn¡¯t what I wanted.¡± Before Darian could ask the stranger what he meant, the pressure inside him swelled, burst, and his body tore itself apart. *** Darian¡¯s eyes shot open, and he sat up with a scream. He rolled to his side, touched his stomach, then his face. His skin was cool to the touch but damp. The cave walls came into focus and Darian realized it had just been a dream. A nightmare. The last wisps of sunlight still shaded the pond outside. He sat up and pulled his short sword across his lap as if it could ward away the sinking feeling in his gut. A lake of blood. Despite himself, Darian¡¯s stomach growled. And that man¡­Something about him seemed distant, but familiar. And the lake. He¡¯d felt something besides hunger wriggling inside him when he thought about it. A deep, but strangely familiar fear. Sunlight receded outside, and Darian emerged. The air was colder than normal, the moon and stars obscured by dark clouds. I should probably find something to eat. He took a step, a trio of blaring trumpets nearly causing him to leap out of his own skin.
Quest Added: Explorer¡¯s Call Objective: Discover at least (2) unknown locations.
Quest Added: In Search of Power Objective: Reach Class Level (3).
The floating text hovered for a few moments before disappearing. Darian was almost thankful for the scare the quest notifications caused him, for he found his mind back on the present. He opened his Quest menu and looked over his two new objectives. Seems like I could probably do these at the same time. He¡¯d already planned on doing a bit of exploring, his new quests only further motivated him. He opened his map. The mountain he¡¯d first been heading to was to the northeast and the patch of trees he originally woke up in was to the south. North and west were unknowns, but Darian had noticed the ground start to slope drastically down behind where his little graveyard was dug. Might find a river or something if I go east, then. He thought about that for a moment. Rivers could mean company, and he wasn¡¯t sure if he was ready to find people yet. What will they think of me? It was a nagging question he kept returning to. And my thirst¡­ His stomach gave another sharp growl. No, better leave scouting for people to another day. He looked up at the mountain, the only discernable landmark he could see over the trees. Mulling it over for a moment, he decided to head in its direction. He kept his map open for a while during his walk, making sure it accurately recorded where he was going. Can¡¯t afford to get caught out here when the sun comes up. When it was clear the map was accurate, he dismissed it and broke into a light jog through the undergrowth. He thought about sprinting, but then he remembered the hunched shapes he saw the night before and decided he shouldn¡¯t rush blindly through the forest. Hopefully I don¡¯t return to find my caves been infested with giant rats. He smiled for a moment before he realized such a thing wasn¡¯t out of the realm of possibility. He broke into a wide clearing, the ground gradually rising. Up the side of a hill, he paused. Just over the tops of the trees was the tip of a stone structure. It was cracked and moss covered, most likely abandoned. Darian¡¯s heart sped at the sight, his love of exploring old ruins in games coming to the surface. He raced down the hill and into the thick patch of trees at the clearing¡¯s edge. An archway loomed across a small stream, the darkness beyond beckoning him closer. Caution. You have no idea what could be inside. He drew his blade and lowered into a crouch, the ground growing marshlike as he approached. Cool mud sucked at his feet, the sound blaring in the silence. Something moved ahead, just inside the arch. It was short but thick bodied, with a long tail that trailed behind it. Closer now, Darian could make out its coarse, brown fur. The creature sniffed the air, its small, pink nose standing out amidst the bleak structure. It turned, one black eye bulging as it focused on Darian. With a squeal it charged forward, mud flying from its clawed feet. Darian rose and tried to set his stance, but his right foot slipped. He¡¯d just regained his balance when the creature rammed into him, sending him sprawling onto his back. He rolled away, slashed, felt his blade chop into flesh. Up now, he dodged another charge, cut across the beast''s back as it sped past. It hunched, ready to pounce. Suddenly, Darian remembered something. He lowered, gripping his sword with both hands. When the creature sprang forward Darian summoned the power from within. Using [Determined Strike] his blade rushed forward as if pushed by an unseen force. The blunt blade collided with the creature¡¯s head, the force enough to send it spiraling into the mud. Darian rushed at it, readied another strike, but it was dead. ¡°I can¡¯t believe it,¡± he mumbled, smiling. ¡°It¡¯s actually a giant rat.¡± He almost laughed. Reminds me of playing Oblivion for the first time. The sound of claws scratching upon stone wiped his smile away. Four shapes crawled from the arch, moving slowly, eyes drowsy from sleep. But they halted in unison when they spotted Darian. The biggest one muscled past the others, rose on its back legs and sniffed. A rat like the others, but its fur was streaked in silvery grey lines. A noise rattled in its throat, and the other beasts sprang forward as if it was a command to charge. Darian thought about running, but he couldn¡¯t risk slipping in the mud. He cursed and gritted his teeth. There was no choice but to fight. Chapter 5 - The Ruined Temple Darian¡¯s blade sliced across the first rat¡¯s side. It slid in the mud, a rabid twitching in its limbs. The other two came at him too quickly for him to readjust his position. One sunk its teeth into his exposed calf while the other leapt up and bit into his side, its teeth leaving a nasty gash as it fell away. Using [Determined Strike] Darian was able to knock the beast on his leg away. He pivoted using his momentum, tried carrying the sword into the rat he first struck, but it was just outside his reach. They split around him, circling, black eyes greedy for blood. The silver furred rat joined the battle, rushing headlong into Darian. His back foot slid as he chopped down, blade meeting flesh, but the rat pressed on. Its jaw clamped around his leg, drawing blood. The other rats swarmed him, biting, clawing. Darian tried to twist away, but the gray rat was strong. One of the rats jumped over its fellows, mouth aimed at Darian¡¯s neck. He brought the tip of his sword up just in time, the rat impaling itself. It clawed at him, mouth frothing with blood, then it jerked once and was still. Biting back the pain, Darian pushed the dead rat from his blade and kicked their grey furred leader. It wrenched free, taking a small chunk of flesh with it. Another determined strike split the head of the first rat he sliced, leaving just two. Come on then! The smell of blood had started filling the air, quickening Darian''s pulse, the world melting away until only he and his enemies remained. His fangs emerged and with a snarl Darian dashed forward, his sword arcing high before slamming down. The silver attempted to move away, but Darian was too quick. His blow punched through ribs and the beast howled. Another quick strike silenced it. The remaining rat sprang through the air, its teeth sinking into the arm Darian brought up to shield himself. Mud churned beneath him, and Darian fell back, the rat gnawing him. He tried stabbing it, but the beast squirmed, teeth digging deeper. Two can play this game. Darian tossed his sword aside and rolled, pinning the creature beneath him. Its eyes widened as it saw Darian¡¯s fangs. It let go, twisted, realizing far too late who the true predator was. Darian¡¯s fangs met soft flesh; his mouth filled with the taste of damp fur at first. But then the sweet nectar flowed, and he lost all sense of time. Much better than the squirrel. He stood after he was finished, blood dribbling from his chin. He looked around and the haze lifted.
Lesser Giant Rat Blood
I¡­lost myself. But any sense of shame could wait. He checked his wounds. Only the attack from the silver fur seemed to still be weeping. He wiped the blood away, noticed almost his whole body was caked in reddish mud. I¡¯m still hungry. The squirrel from the previous night had been the equivalent of a snack. He hadn¡¯t noticed until now just how hungry he really was. Maybe that¡¯s why I dreamed of the lake? Darian picked up a fresh rat.
Enemies Defeated [Giant Rat Lv. 1] [Giant Rat Lv. 1] [Giant Rat Lv. 1] [Giant Rat Lv. 2] Class XP Gained: 7
Darian hardly noticed the floating words as he sank his fangs in. When the rat ran dry, he moved on to the grey fur but stopped. I will save you for last. A measure of disgust squirmed deep inside him, but it was short lived. The creatures smelt terrible, but their blood had a unique flavor to it. Still not as delicious as the wolves. That blood in particular had a spice to it. With three of the beast¡¯s blood consumed, Darian moved on to the main course. The red gashes along the grey fur¡¯s body smelt sweet, almost like honey. When its warm life essence spread across his tongue, Darian smiled. It was truly delicious.
Giant Rat Blood
Licking the wet from his lips, Darian had another moment of clarity. He looked about at the drained corpses, disgust welling up. No. This was what he had to do in order to survive. And there was no shame to be found in survival. At least that¡¯s what he kept telling himself. He retrieved his sword, picked the bits of flesh and fur from it, and sheathed it as he walked on toward the ruined structure. It was tall with an arched and pointed top. Looks almost like a church from back home. The walls were consumed by ivy and moss, cracked in places and crumbling in others. One side of the foundation was sinking into the muck, giving the building a lopsided silhouette. Darian paused as he approached. I need to remember to be more careful. In his excitement he forgot for a moment that this was not a game, it was real. His hand pressed into the wound on his leg, the flesh still torn. His unique skill [Bloodthirst] had healed his minor wounds, but this one seemed to be sticking. Darian winced as his hand pulled away. Slow and steady. Assume there are more enemies. Never get cocky. Caution first, always. He repeated the mantra he¡¯d told himself each time he died in an RPG, though he endeavored to actually follow it this time. His foot touched a loose board in the structure¡¯s entrance. And always check for traps. If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Sword still drawn, he inched forward, a tentative foot tapping at the rotted hardwood. He sniffed, mostly on instinct. The stench of rats filled the large room, puckering his nose. Old pews sat discarded along the walls, a pulpit standing a lonely sentinel across from the arched doorway. Sensing nothing living, Darian relaxed, but only slightly. His feet moved silently, a worn chest in the corner drawing his attention. The wooden edges of the chest showed the places where the rats had gnawed, but the container was solid, made of thick oak. Darian pulled on the iron clasp. Locked. He looked around, figured the key was probably long gone. His dull blade cracked across the bronze claps of the chest, bending it. Another strike freed it, the chest opening a hair¡¯s width. Darian slowly raised the lid with the tip of his sword, ready to jump back if teeth or something else sprang forth. When nothing did, he dropped to one knee and inspected the chest¡¯s contents. A hatchet drew his attention first. It was short handled, the iron blade surprisingly only a bit rust speckled. The curve of the wood handle and width of the blade somehow told Darian it was a woodsman¡¯s tool and not a weapon of war. The knowledge my class imparted to me feels so strange. Like someone else¡¯s thoughts are running parallel to my own. Under the axe was a wool cloak, blanket, a set of plates, bowls, and trio of small knives. Darian pulled the cloak free and tied it around himself. It smelt terrible, but it left him a little less exposed. The blanket came next. It was thick and thankfully seemed to smell better than the cloak. I finally get to sleep on something other than a hard cave floor. The other assorted items Darian wanted to take with him, but he didn¡¯t have anything to carry them in. But I do have an inventory. He hadn¡¯t pulled the grid like menu up since his first night in the new world. It still stared at him completely blank, but his current gear¡ªthe sword and cloak¡ªwere not anywhere to be found on the screen. Strange. He picked up one the bowls and focused, willing it and his inventory to interact somehow. Just when he was about to give up, a small, oily black circle appeared in the air. The black circle hovered at about chest height, suspended perfectly in the air. Darian placed the bowl into the dark blotch without a second thought and an icon appeared in his inventory. By reaching into the dark circle, he was able to pull the bowl free from whatever space it was held in. Darian smiled. Looks like I won¡¯t have to leave anything behind. He stuffed the remainder of the chest¡¯s contents into his inventory, noticing something strange as he placed the axe in. It was slight, almost beyond notice, but pressure was building on Darian¡¯s shoulders. Glancing back at the screen, he noticed a weight was displayed at the top right corner [32]. Guess this stuff is still connected to me somehow. Might be a good idea to remember that and not overload myself later. With the chest clear, Darian made one more pass of the room. The rats had a small den dug into the floorboards in the far corner. Inside, he found an iron dagger.
Item Obtained: Rusty Iron Dagger
He put the dagger into his inventory and then moved on to the broken door at the back. It led to a small storeroom of sorts, but all the food it housed was long rotted. A few broken crates held some shattered vases. Darian took the only one that was still in one piece. Never know when some hunk of junk might come in handy. Outside, Darian looped around the ruined temple and found another small stone structure just behind it. Its wooden door had rotted away, and the inside was lined with slanted shelves. He pocketed some string, a leather belt, and curiously picked up the pitchfork leaning in the corner. Can I get this to fit? He summoned his inventory and slowly pushed the pitchfork into the floating black circle. I wonder if there¡¯s a limit to what I can stick in this thing? Exiting, he noticed a perfectly round stump a few paces away. He approached and his foot kicked something metallic. Brushing away the muck, he found his foot had struck the back of a long-handled axe, one used for chopping down trees. Darian collected it in his inventory and took one last look around. Doesn¡¯t seem to be anything left to find. The wound in his leg ached, and he checked his HP.
HP: 67/80
I should be fine if I come across more rats, then. With a little more caution in his step, Darian continued his journey north. He hadn¡¯t gotten far when he spied something catching the moonlight ahead. Slowing, he circled the strange object. Something dark was caught in its clutches, fur clumped around a huddled shape. He inched forward, ready to strike or flee as the situation demanded. The steel object was a bear trap and clamped between its metallic jaws was a giant rat. Darian prodded the creature, realizing it was long dead. But not that long, two days at the most. He glanced about, noticed other shapes in the foliage. More traps. His feet edged back, and he paused as his heel touched something cool, something metal. Behind him was another bear trap, this one concealed beneath leaves. Who put these here? They weren¡¯t rusted, and a few had marks near them where the ground had been recently churned up by something. Boots? A tingle went down Darian¡¯s spine, and his instincts told him to flee. He carefully picked his way back to the ruined temple. There were more traps along the way, nearly invisible if one was coming from the direction of the structure. It was honestly a small miracle his foot hadn¡¯t landed in one already. Wouldn¡¯t that have been just great. He turned. I might be able to use these. The rats had been too small to be the shapes he¡¯d seen the other night. If he put a few of these around his pond and the cave entrance, he could maybe snare one of them. Whoever placed all these probably won¡¯t notice if I take one or two. There are a ton of them, after all. With great care he pulled one of the bear traps from its camouflaged pile of leaves and put it into his inventory. This thing is heavier than it looks. He had to put it inside with the teeth ready to snap. Need to remember that so I don¡¯t pull it out and get myself snapped by it. He decided to only take one, the itch of anxiety in his gut telling him he needed to leave. But why so many traps, and why here? The rats had been a bit of a scare, but he didn¡¯t feel like they warranted a field of such heavy-duty design. I¡¯ll take another look around here tomorrow. Fighting his curiosity to explore the area more, Darian opened his map and readied to return to his cave. Just need to find one more location to complete one of my quests. Real clothes here I come! He smiled and took a step. The metallic *Click* reached his ears too late. Chapter 6 - Arrival of the Undead Darian raised his leg on instinct, the trap snapping shut just below his foot. Then he fell, the hard ground slamming into his shoulders. Cursing, he rolled. ¡°Always check for traps,¡± he said to himself in a mocking tone. But then he noticed the leaves that had shielded the trap from view weren''t normal. There was a slight shimmer to them, their edges almost translucent. As he stared at them, the leaves simply vanished, gone as if they never existed. Some kind of illusion? He rose and walked backwards, each step slow and deliberate. Then, with extreme care, he made his way back to the ruined temple. He leaned against the moss-covered wall and tapped the back of his head against the stone. Nearly lost my foot there. He looked out over the field of bear traps, wondering who or what had placed them there. Not wishing to find out, Darian decided to head back to his cave for now. Upon leaving, he came across the first rat he killed, the one that rushed him before his four fellows joined in. By the slight sweet odor coming from one of its wounds, its blood was still fresh enough to consume. But I¡¯m not hungry right now. And he probably wouldn¡¯t be until the following night, and by then the beast¡¯s blood wouldn¡¯t be fresh enough. But I have an idea. Darian opened his inventory and placed the rat in it. He half expected it to be rejected, but it appeared in the gridded box with all the other stuff he¡¯d collected. There was no telling how time worked in whatever weird space his stuff existed in while it was inside his inventory. For all he knew time was paused there. Which means I might have a meal ready and waiting for me! He loped through the forest, eager to return to his cave and separate out the random junk he collected. His wounds stung, each step sending up a jolt of pain. Though none of the information he looked at confirmed this, he was certain his body was far more resistant to pain than his last one. He¡¯d been clawed, bitten, and bled, but the pain never overwhelmed him. Or the panic. Pretty sure I would have run screaming if a pack of giant rodents attacked me in the old world. He looked down at his throbbing cuts and punctures, and though they hurt, they wouldn¡¯t even register as a four on the pain scale. Darian paused as a trio of rabbits scurried across the thick roots ahead. Small and grey furred, they didn¡¯t seem to notice him as they hopped down the nearby hill. Lucky I¡¯m not still hungry. He was about to continue on his way when something caught his eye. A small path wound down the hill, far too wide to be a simple game trail. Darian slid down, rounded the corner, and was met with a wall. Now what¡¯s this doing here? The structure was large, about the size of a house, and made from thick logs that were hidden from view by rows of densely packed pine trees. A small clearing spread out from the cabin¡¯s entrance; a hole dug at its center. Closer Darian spotted bleached animal bones at the bottom of the charred pit. Two stumps sat close by. Stools? With soft feet, Darian crept up to the cabin¡¯s lone window and gripped the wooden shutter. Locked. The door, a massive hunk of scarred wood, pulled open with a groan, the air filling with a damp, musty odor. Inside, a bear skin rug stretched opposite of a fire pit that dominated the center of the room. Two beds sat side by side in one corner, a stuffed elk¡¯s head hanging above them. The rest of the room was a cluttered mess of tables and crude furniture. Darian¡¯s eyes were eventually drawn to a small chest tucked away under a table. Inside it were a few rolls of what he guessed were elk or deerskin. A few spiders had made their nest in the ceiling, but the structure wasn¡¯t long abandoned. Might belong to whoever set those traps. Darian was about to inspect the rest of the room when a blaring trumpet sounded off.
Quest Completed: Explorer¡¯s Call [Class Level 2 Reached]
Darian wasted no time opening his inventory. Three new icons appeared, one for a pair of boots, pants, and a shirt. He stripped off his homemade loin cloth and tossed it into his inventory. His new clothes fit well, a tan wool shirt, pants made of thick linen and boots made of dark leather. I¡¯m starting to look like a proper adventurer. He adjusted his wool cloak and then opened his character sheet. Sure enough, a small plus sign has appeared next to his class level. Touching it, a screen appeared prompting Darian to level up one of his available classes. He could put another level into Warrior or put a point into any of the starter classes. I should probably put some thought into this. There were probably only a handful of hours until sunrise, but Darian figured he wasn¡¯t likely to be disturbed here. In fact, this place has a bed. Whoever built this might come back, but spending at least one night here isn¡¯t the worst idea. He hobbled to a nearby chair and used a stool to prop up his wounded leg. When he was sufficiently comfortable, he looked over the selection. Rogue still doesn¡¯t make much sense since I don¡¯t have a bow. Though one could be lying around here somewhere, it is a hunting cabin, after all. His foot tapped the ground. But I think I¡¯d still like to stick to Warrior or Mage for now. Rogue could be useful, especially Rogue¡¯s skill [Trap Expertise] and the classes¡¯ enhanced perception. But its methods of fighting weren¡¯t exactly to Darian¡¯s liking. In the end, what really mattered were the advanced classes he could unlock by putting points into them. Rogue had advanced classes that specialized further in knife fighting or stealth, with one magic option based on the bow, the Arcane Archer. Sending flaming or exploding arrows into his foes couldn¡¯t be completely dismissed. None of these use any warrior levels though. Maybe I should have looked into this more before I picked my first class level¡­ Darian scratched his head, remembering all the times he was faced with decision paralysis when building characters in RPG games. A few more levels in Warrior would unlock Berserker and Vanguard, one class being specialized in offence and one on defense. Mage levels on their own would give him access to specialized magic classes like Druid, Elemental, and Barrier Mage. But the classes he was most interested in were the ones that combined the two. With one more Warrior level and two Mage levels, he would unlock Spellblade. One level in that class would let him infuse his sword with basic spells. There was also Battlemage, which would unlock more destructive spells like [Fireball] and boost his Strength using augment type magic. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. The main problem he was having was that he wasn¡¯t building a character, but choosing what would keep him alive. The two fights he had so far were close quarters, but at least one of those could have started at range. His battle with the rats saw him lose a little over a quarter HP, but his unique skill [Bloodthirst] had seen him almost back to full health. It was possible to heal from battles and so maybe a massive HP pool on its own wouldn¡¯t be necessary. As long as his enemy had blood, he could recover even after a close fight. Which means I can afford to focus on offense. One level in Mage would give him a weak fire and ice spell, but it would also give him the skill [Detect Magic]. He couldn¡¯t be sure about this, but it could have helped him spot the bear trap earlier. Another level in Warrior would boost his physical stats some more and unlock the skill [Dash Strike] which could help him close the distance between him and his enemies. Though that wouldn¡¯t have been particularly useful in my last two battles. He knew now he wanted to use a class that combined Warrior and Mage, but the decision of which to put a level into was driving him mad. Ultimately, it was the Mage skill [Detect Magic] that won him over. Hopefully, he could use it to find hidden traps, but he was sure there were other uses for it, too. With one last moment of hesitation, he selected Mage.
Mage Lv. 1
Are you sure? (Yes)(No)
Yes. Darian reclined in the chair as a strange, tingling sensation spread about his limbs. He felt immediately that he had somehow chosen incorrectly, that being a bit stronger or faster would come in handier. But his choice was made, and so he inspected his new skills.
Flare Range: 25 feet
Shard Range: 25 feet
Detect Magic Range: 15 feet
His new damage spells did less damage than his sword, but at least he had ranged options now. And being able to detect magic had to come in handy, eventually. But I¡¯ll have to keep reminding myself to use it. His new knowledge of magic swirled around in his head, feeling like he had somehow downloaded a textbook into his brain. The information wasn¡¯t immediately useful and so he stood and shook out his still tingling body. I guess I should make sure there¡¯s not something of use in here. Whoever used this place last left it in a sorry state. Tables and chairs were turned over, small tools and skinning knives scattered here and there. Almost like it was ransacked. Then Darian spotted the blood stain half concealed by a basket. He followed the stain, small blotches of darkened wood his only guide. They led to the corner by the beds, one sheet stained red. Along the floor were slight cuts in the wood, places where something sharp had been scraped along the ground. Darian activated [Detect Magic] to see if there was anything around his eyes had missed. A shimmering blue circle spread out from around his waist. It flowed over the nearby objects, settling on them. Darian made sure he swept the entire room. Nothing Darian knelt and rolled up the bearskin rug and, with some effort, got it to fit into his inventory. The pillow and blanket from the cleaner bed came next. Starting to feel a little weighted down now. Searching and leveling up hadn¡¯t taken long. He would have more than enough time to make it back to the cave. The idea of staying where he was and sleeping in a proper bed was appealing, but the blood and traps nearby had him concerned. Something was going on in these northern woods, and he wasn¡¯t sure he wanted to figure out what that was. He was about to leave when he heard something outside. It was faint, but the sound of snapping twigs and rustling leaves whispered in the darkness. Darian readied his sword and crouched by the door, listening. Whatever was moving out there was slow, the time between steps long and silent. Eventually he picked out another set of footfalls trailing the first. Whoever they were, they were making no effort to silence their steps. ¡°Search,¡± a rasping voice said from just beyond the trees. ¡°Find.¡± Darian peeked around the corner, ready to run. Just as he did so, a strange, angular figure stepped into the clearing. Rags hung from grey, exposed bone, and the empty sockets of a cracked skull blazed with dots of green fire. One bony hand gripped a sword, the other a buckler. From behind the first skeleton, two more appeared. One was like the first, but the third was hooded, with a curved blade in both its hands. Run. His instincts screamed at him to flee, but he was frozen, eyes locked on the rattling figures that spread around the clearing. The first two skeletons were slow, but the third moved with efficiency. Closer now, Darian could see the tendrils of purple mist swirling around its body, the exposed bone beneath its tattered black robe polished white. ¡°Search the cabin,¡± the hooded figure said. ¡°We are not alone.¡± Chapter 7 - Life or Death Darian dove behind an overturned table, knuckles whitening around his sword. He crouched and waited. Rattling feet shuffled outside, and Darian peeked around the corner. A skeleton appeared, leather buckler held loosely at its side, iron blade catching a shaft of moonlight. Its fleshless face betrayed no hint of emotion, but its movements were jerking, frantic. ¡°Search.¡± It said, voice like the crackling of an ice felled tree. ¡°Find.¡± Its skull swiveled, facing Darian. ¡°Kill.¡± Darian burst forward, the table crashing to the ground. His sword caught the creature on the ribs, but the blade bounced off like it was repelled by an invisible shield. Only a small scratch along the bone let Darian know his attack had even landed. ¡°Enemy.¡± The green fire blazing in the creature¡¯s skull flared, its longsword striking out. The attack was slow, and Darian shuffled a half step back. He hacked at it again, scoring one hit along its arm and one on its shoulder. Its buckler came around and it marched forward. A shadow darkened the doorway, another skeleton blocking Darian¡¯s escape. Darian opened his palm and cast [Flare]. The skeleton caught the ball of flame on its buckler and pressed on, sword stabbing at Darian¡¯s exposed stomach. Darian jumped back and kicked a chair at his attacker. It caught the skeleton along the knee, stumbling it. He cast [Flare] followed by enhancing his next attack with [Determined Strike]. The tip of his sword cracked against the monster¡¯s skull, its chest blackened by flame. Another blast from [Flare] hit it in the face, and his blade tore a chunk of rib bone free with his next swipe. The skeleton occupying the doorway rattled forward, sword held high. Darian swerved, putting his first attacker in front of his second. He fired off two more spells, one blocked and one striking true. How many more can I use? To answer his internal question, a small screen hovered near his face.
Flare: Uses remaining (9)
He cast [Shard] next. The pointed chunk of ice smashed into the skeleton¡¯s shoulder but seemed to do less damage than [Flare]. Ice resistant? I figured, but it was worth a try. But some damage was better than none. He cast Shard again as he pressed forward. The skeleton blocked his spell but a [Determined Strike] to its ribs saw the creature burst apart. But Darian¡¯s sword came away dented, the rusted blade ruined. The monster¡¯s bones flew in every direction as it died, scattering like bowling pins after a perfect roll. Darian squatted down and snatched up the fallen skeleton¡¯s sword.
Item Obtained: Iron Longsword
He brought his new weapon up just in time to block an overhand swing from his new opponent. ¡°Kill.¡± It smacked Darian in the chest with its buckler, and the tip of its sword came back too fast to block. Darian stepped back, but the blade cut him across his chest, ripping his shirt and leaving a nasty gash. He came back with a two-handed swing that cracked the skeleton across the shoulder, splintering the bone. Stepping back, he cast [Flare]. If it goes for the block, I¡¯ll hack out its legs. Instead of blocking, the monster charged forward, letting the spell crash across its chest. Darian blocked the first strike, but the second left a red line along his thigh. Almost backed into the corner, Darian grit his teeth and set his stance. He swung with all his strength, adding [Determined Strike] to the blow. His blade met buckler, but the force tore the skeleton off its feet. Darian hacked at it, the bony figure writhing on the floor. After a set of thudding attacks, the bones burst free of their sockets, scattering across the floor.
Enemies Defeated [Skeleton Lv.1] [Skeleton Lv.1] Class XP Gained: 8 Progress to Class Lv. 3 (8/50)
Darian quickly checked his health.
HP (60/80)
Hopefully that will be enough. He was cut across his chest and leg, but his chest wound was the only serious blow he suffered. Blood leaked out from the ragged slash, red streaks working their way down Darian¡¯s stomach. He ignored the stinging pain. There was one last opponent to fight. The hooded skeleton stood in the clearing, its dual blades shimmering with a bluish light. Its head cocked to the side when it saw Darian. ¡°You are not who we expected.¡± Its shoulders rolled and a grating sound filled the air. Darian realized after a moment the monster was laughing, ¡°But plans never go as they should. Tell me, did you kill the occupants of this cabin?¡± Darian thought about not answering, about making a run for it. But this monster was different. Moving at all under its gaze felt impossible, and Darian was sure that he would be cut down the moment he tried to flee. ¡°I didn¡¯t. It was empty when I got here.¡± The skeleton made a sound, something like a sigh, then its head snapped up, blazing eyes narrowing. ¡°Who are you? You are not of the village. Where do you come from?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± How should I answer this? ¡°Come from beyond the forest.¡± It regarded him for a moment. ¡°Did The Society send you?¡± Who!? ¡°They¡­did not.¡± Darian¡¯s shoulder¡¯s tensed, eyes scanning for a way out. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°Interesting.¡± Its knuckles popped as its grip tightened around its curved swords. ¡°My master will want to see you. You shall come with me.¡± It glanced at the mountain where the sky was just starting to lighten. ¡°We will stay here for the night. The sun does not¡­agree with me.¡± Darian¡¯s foot slid back, mind racing for a way out. ¡°Your master?¡± I don¡¯t like where this is going. ¡°You are a trespasser,¡± it said, striding forward. ¡°As all are who enter this forest without my master¡¯s approval.¡± It gestured at the cabin. ¡°But you are a curiosity. I can sense that your heart beats, but the stench of undeath surrounds you. My master will want to see you for herself, but¡­¡± The blades in its hands erupted with blue, arcing energy. The clearing filled with a humming sound, the air tense with anticipation, as if a summer storm were forming on the horizon. ¡°I can take you to her in pieces if I must.¡± Darian had never been threatened before. He was pulled out of school when he was eleven, his health on a steady decline. No bullies ever pestered him, no one on the internet had sent him any serious hate. So the rage filling his gut was a first, and he couldn¡¯t help but bring up his blade in a show of defiance. But fighting would be foolish. There was no doubt this creature was far too powerful to take on. Running was an option, but despite its skeletal form, there was a fencer¡¯s grace in its movements. That meant he could either go with it or try something risky. Something that might not even work. But I¡¯m not going anywhere with this thing. My previous life was already out of my control. I won¡¯t lose my new freedom to anyone. I would rather die first. Darian shouted a battle cry, shot off [Flare] and made like he was about to charge. The skeleton dropped back into a fighting stance and slashed the ball of flame from the air. While it readied for another attack, Darian turned around and grabbed the cabin door. He pulled it behind him, slamming it shut in a frantic hurry. Tossing his sword aside, he reached up and pulled the metal bolt down to lock the door. Blue light flashed outside as something slammed into the wood. The door creaked, but it held fast. Darian slid the next latch down and stepped back, blade at the ready. It was a long shot, but this creature didn¡¯t seem to like the sun either. There was a chance it was like him and would burn if it came into contact with the light, but it could also be weakened by it. Even weakened, it might still be too strong for Darian to kill, but it was the only thing he could think of besides running. And it doesn¡¯t seem to know what I am. If it doesn¡¯t know the sun will burn me to a crisp, it might retreat if it thinks I¡¯m going to fight it outside. But all his ideas were just theories. What if the sun just slightly bothers it or something? What then? The door shuddered, blows slamming into it again and again. It started to crack along the middle, and Darian dropped his sword, forcing his weight against the bulging wood. ¡°Foolish creature,¡± the skeleton said, pausing his assault. ¡°This entire forest belongs to my master. And soon the village will fall before her. You can never escape.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll just have to see about that!¡± Darian shouted back, temper flaring. Another set of strikes smashed against the door, but then a heavy silence settled in. Darian put his ear to the wood, but he couldn¡¯t make out anything except the rustling of branches. Did he leave? Something burst from the wall nearby. Darian spun, eyes wide in panic. The window! A skeletal hand reached through and gripped the wall. Darian snatched up his sword and hacked at the exposed knuckles, but his strikes had almost no effect. A head appeared, skeletal teeth somehow bending to form a sinister grin. A palm flashed up, then solid darkness sprang forth. It circled Darian and stabbed at him, his whole body stinging like it was covered in biting thorns. Through the haze, he saw the monster begin to pull itself through. With panic surging, he drove the tip of his sword into the monster¡¯s chest, a [Determined Strike] adding more of his strength to the blow. Though it didn¡¯t seem to inflict much damage, the force knocked the skeleton loose from the window. The darkness swirling around Darian dissipated, his body covered in tiny, bleeding scratches. The skeleton landed on its back but sprang up with surprising agility. Darian had to jump back from the window as a shard of ice from its palm nearly took his eye out. ¡°You have made a powerful enemy this day,¡± it rasped. ¡°My master will make great use of your corpse.¡± The skeleton plucked his blades from the dirt. The sun was just starting to blanket the forest in grey light, and the hooded creature regarded it warily. It hesitated for a moment, head turning from the cabin to the approaching light and back again. Eventually it stiffened, then turned to face the window. ¡°Until we meet again,¡± it said with a bow before striding into the forest. When light fully engulfed the clearing, Darian stepped back from the window. He dropped his sword and fell against the wall. His whole body was screaming, each of the tiny cuts the darkness inflicted stinging far more than they should. Both his shirt and pants were torn from the attack, with his shirt in particular reduced to tatters. But I survived. He smiled, then grunted when a new wave of pain spread from the wound on his chest. For now. He opened his inventory and removed the dead rat he stuffed in there from earlier. Its blood was nearly stale. Guess time moves in my inventory. He drank its blood and the pain lessened, but only slightly. Darian flopped down on the bed in the corner. A deep fatigue leeched his strength away, as it always did when the sun rose. He fought to keep his eyes open. He couldn¡¯t be sure the skeleton wouldn¡¯t return. But despite his best efforts, darkness claimed him. *** Valmier strode through the forest, dappled sunlight burning away most of his strength. A cold fire raged inside him. To be forced to retreat from such a weak opponent. The indignity! But he would be back when the sun fell. His master would have the pale man¡¯s corpse. The bushes ahead rustled and a massive, looming mass of fur and muscle appeared. Valmier stopped and shook his skeletal head. ¡°Gershank, you are beyond late.¡± Gershank¡¯s lips peeled back, revealing thick rows of razor-sharp teeth that glinted in the sunlight. ¡°Valmier!¡± the Warg¡¯s voice sounded like his chest was full of gravel. ¡°What are you doing out so late?¡± His red eyes scanned the forest. ¡°And alone.¡± A low growl escaped the beast¡¯s throat, and Valmier prepared to strike. But Gershank just sat on his haunches, his bulk casting a long shadow across the ground. Valmier relaxed. His master still held the beast¡¯s leash. ¡°Searching for the intruders. A task you, or more specifically your nose, were supposed to assist with. Where have you been?¡± Gershank turned his head one way, then the other. ¡°Can¡¯t seem to remember.¡± Valmier sprung forward and pressed the sharp edge of his blade to Gershank¡¯s throat. He would be no match for the beast in the sunlight, they both knew that, but they both also knew what would happen if the Warg defied their master. ¡°Listen to me, beast.¡± Gershank growled but did not move. ¡°There is a man locked inside the hunter¡¯s cabin. His heart beats, but he does not breathe. I have never encountered such a creature. Master will want him.¡± ¡°And why is he there while you are here?¡± Gershank¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Oh, I see. Locked himself inside. Want me to drag him out?¡± Valmier thought about it for a moment. It wouldn¡¯t be easy, but Gershank would get inside eventually. In terms of level, the monster was his master¡¯s second strongest servant. Even stronger than Valmier himself, at least currently. But this man had insulted him. Valmier would carve him apart himself. ¡°No. Simply watch him. He is not from the village, nor is he one of the Justicars. But he must come from somewhere. Perhaps even from those lost fools in The Society. There might be others with him. Learn where they hide.¡± Something like a smile spread across Gershank¡¯s scarred face. ¡°Understood, boss. I¡¯ll watch. It¡¯s what I¡¯m good at.¡± Valmier removed the blade from Gershank¡¯s throat and strode past the putrid monster. ¡°Go now and do not fail me. Do not fail our master.¡± ¡°Wouldn¡¯t dream of it!¡± The sound of Gershank¡¯s steps faded behind Valmier, his thoughts consumed by one thing. I will kill that man. I will cut his body to pieces and present them before my master. Maybe then she will permit me to put down our rabid dog. He laughed, a dry cackling that consumed everything. Sooner or later, he would have his vengeance. Chapter 8 - A Need for Power Darian woke to pain. He sat up and groaned, a dozen small wounds stinging him. The slash across his chest was an angry red line edged by torn flesh. His skill [Minor Regeneration] had healed it some, but it burned as he shifted and rose to his feet. A few lingering rays of sunlight were visible through the cabin¡¯s smashed window. Darian would have to be on the move as soon as darkness fell. That skeleton would surely be back, and Darian doubted he could escape him a second time. He looked down at his blood-stained clothes, cut arms and gashed chest. His hands tightened to fists, a cold rage bubbling up deep inside him. I lost. That single thought kept striking him through the pain. I lost. That monster had been strong, far stronger than the other meager creatures Darian had faced thus far. Something about its strength made Darian angry, furious even. If he met it out in the open, he would be dead. Or be getting experimented on by whoever its master is. Besides his cave and this cabin, he didn¡¯t know of anywhere else he could hide from the sun. That meant fleeing the forest was extremely risky. And if he was going to stay, odds are he would have to contend with that hooded bastard again. I guess that makes things simple. Only one thing I can do. He would have to become stronger. With the sun finally vanished behind the mountains, Darian collected his sword and sped into the night. Tangled roots disappeared underfoot, Darian wasting no time. He looped around a hill and splashed across a shallow stream. He couldn¡¯t rule out the possibility of being tracked, so he returned to the stream and ran along inside it for as long as he could. Saw this in a movie once. Not sure if it works, but I might as well try. He reached his cave before too long, the sight of the pond almost serene. He checked the area to make sure nothing was around, even using [Detect Magic] just to be safe. Once it was clear he was alone, he removed his cloak and tattered shirt. Doesn¡¯t look salvageable. He placed the shirt in his inventory. I might be able to use it for something later. His pants had fared much better, only thinly cut here and there by the darkness spell the skeleton had cast. When he was fully stripped, Darian slowly waded into the pond. A few frogs croaked their protests at him, but the water felt oddly soothing on his skin. Even his wounds seemed to feel better in the cool water. Though I¡¯m thankful for my cold resistance right now. Floating on his back, he stared up at the moonless sky. A kaleidoscope of multicolored stars stared back at him, reminding him that this world was not his. But I will make it mine. He¡¯d determined already that he would make the most of his new life, but to do that, he would have to grow in power. Killing enemies earned him XP, which meant he would have to start looking for fights on purpose. Not that fights have been avoiding me as is. It was funny. He¡¯d never been in more than an elementary school brawl in his old life, yet here he was, fighting giant rats and skeletons. Part of his skill was because of the basic knowledge his classes gave him, but he sensed there was more to it. He lifted one of his arms and clenched his fist. There was power in him, more than he could have ever dreamed of in his old life. And that power was a fraction of what he was truly capable of. I want to be strong. He decided. Strong enough that nothing will ever be able to control my life but me. Another thought wormed in beside the first. Strong enough that no one can stand in my way. Darian sat on his favorite rock, waiting to dry. Despite the late hour, birds chirped in the trees. They were small, white bellied but blue everywhere else. He¡¯d never seen their kind back home, but he wasn¡¯t a bird watcher. He observed them playing amidst the branches, an endless game of tag with no clear winner. Darian watched them with a frown. He was used to being alone. Besides his parents, he hardly ever spoke in person to anyone else. But it still bothered him that his first conversation in his new life was between himself and a skeleton. He did mention something about a village. Darian rose, finally dried off. I bet that¡¯s who set up all those traps. By their placement, I can bet the village is north of the ruined temple, closer to the mountain. Whoever the villagers were, it was clear they were no friends of the skeletons. They could make allies, but Darian had to be careful. If he didn¡¯t tread lightly, he could face two enemies rather than one. A thought struck him, causing him to pause as he slipped his pants back on. Could I kill a human? It hadn¡¯t occurred to him until now that killing another person was a possibility. But I¡¯m not human anymore, am I? Something about the thought troubled him. It stayed with him as he emptied his inventory of all the junk he¡¯d collected over the past day. I¡¯m sure I could. But only if I had to. ¡°Enough doom and gloom,¡± he said. ¡°I¡¯ve got stuff to sort.¡± His favorite thing he''d collected was the bearskin rug. It stretched almost the length of the cave and made him feel less like a stone age caveman. The pillow and blanket would certainly come in handy, and an axe for chopping wood could be useful. The rest of his inventory was an assortment of small tools and other miscellaneous items. He separated them in the corner by usefulness, feeling rather stupid that he never thought to put the chest from the ruined temple into his inventory. After he was finished sorting, Darian patrolled the perimeter again. He didn¡¯t know why, but he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that he was being watched. Eventually a rabbit scurried out from a bush, and Darian sighed as he used [Command Animal] on it and beckoned it closer. He drank the small creature¡¯s blood and then carried its body to the little graveyard near his cave. Thankfully, no critters had dug up the remains he buried. Still hungry, he placed the rabbit near one of the graves to be buried later. I wish I had a way to store blood. That would make collecting it from bigger animals actually worth it.
Quest Added: Rise of the Vampire Objective: Reach Race level (2).
After jumping at the sudden trumpets, Darian cocked his head to the side. Race level two, huh. Darian inspected his character sheet.
Character Sheet Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. Name: Darian Race: Lesser Vampire Total Level: 3 Race Level: 1 Class Level: 2 HP: 68/80 Attributes [Unique Skills] [Racial Skills] [Class Skills] [Triumphs] [Traits]
His racial level had not increased with his class level, and truth be told, he had no idea what race level even was. He touched his race level on the screen and a new window appeared, hovering close to the first.
Race Level: 1 XP: 8/40
What is that eight XP from? As was becoming the norm, a translucent screen appeared with the info he asked for.
Small woodland (beast) blood: 2 Medium woodland (beast) blood: 6
I guess that answers things. He looked over the screen again. But how do I go about gaining it, exactly?
There are two paths to gaining Race XP 1. Consuming the blood of new creatures. The rarer and more exotic the blood, the higher your XP gains become. 2. By completing race related quests.
He drank more than one rat and both medium and small woodland beast blood was listed only once. I guess it really does only count the first time I do it. And unlike his Class Level, he couldn¡¯t see the potential reward for leveling up his race. Still should be something I work towards. Leveling something up should come with advantages, after all. He looked back at his new quest ¡°Rise of the Vampire¡±. Seems like these quests are prompted by goals I set myself. The reward, listed simply as ¡°Blood Vial¡± got his imagination going, but he shook his distracted head and checked the area one last time. His cave was about an hour and a half away from the hunting cabin, but that was if you were running. The low-level skeletons didn¡¯t seem capable of moving that quickly, and Darian just had to hope the hooded one had reasons for not checking this area. I could prepare all I want with traps and defenses, but if that one comes, I¡¯m royally screwed. Any obstacles he could create would be rendered useless. But can I really abandon this place? If he left and was caught out in the open when the sun rose, he would be dead. But staying also had a high chance of fatality. Not knowing what else to do, Darian walked over and sat inside the cave¡¯s mouth. His chest wound still hurt, but it was healing slowly. After one more day, he would be ready to head back out. Then he could explore the area some more. He knew a little of what was north and northwest, but the south and east were still mysteries. He would have to be more cautious from now on and cover ground slower, but he had to know what the local area was like before he could leave the forest. But until I heal, I have an idea of what I can do to improve. Darian grabbed his dagger from his inventory and climbed a thick tree at the edge of the clearing. The sturdy oak was surprisingly easy to ascend. When Darian was about twenty feet off the ground, he carved a large X into the tree. He made two similar marks as he went down. He also created three marks on another tree that stood a little behind the first. Once he was finished, he took a few steps back to admire the targets he¡¯d created. During his battle with the skeletons, Darian¡¯s spells [Flare] and [Shard] had mostly hit their targets, but a few had been blocked since he had to aim at center mass. Each shot sent a jolt of recoil through Darian¡¯s arm, making the spells difficult to aim. Since he wouldn¡¯t need them for fighting right now, he decided it was a good time for some target practice. Need to check one thing first. He gathered a pile of branches, leaves, and loose sticks into a pile and fired off [Flare] into the middle of them. The spell created a few sparks, but even the driest of the leaves didn¡¯t catch fire. Guess it¡¯s not hot enough to create fire. The damage must come from the magic itself, then. Now that he was sure a rogue spell wouldn¡¯t result in the entire forest burning down, he took aim at the farthest and highest target. He shot off a [Flare] that missed the mark by at least six paces. Guess it¡¯s a good thing I¡¯m practicing. *** Darian slumped onto his makeshift bed, face buried into a pillow. It turns out hitting targets with your spells is a lot harder than it seems at first. He¡¯d exhausted his daily supply of spells without hitting the top target once. Even the lowest and closest of the targets had proved a challenge. But he was already getting better, his shots gradually improving in accuracy. He would make it a point to practice each night if he had the spell uses available. Besides that, he had discovered the remains of a fallen tree that stood about head height to him. He¡¯d used it to practice swinging his sword, though he had used a heavy stick to avoid blunting his blade. His Warrior class might have given him basic knowledge, but his body seemed to not be fully in sync with that knowledge. Some of his reactions were too slow, almost lagging behind what his class was telling him to do. And being slower, even by a second, could lead to his death. So he practiced different kinds of strikes and slashes and got used to using his footwork to dance around his foe. Even if the training proved to be useless, it was at least fun to move his new body around. He turned and looked out of the cave entrance, still unable to feel at ease. Tomorrow I will head out. He would go south in search of battle and new creatures to drink dry. And if there were ruins to the north, who was to say he couldn¡¯t find more in the south? Maybe then he could move away from the cave for safer territory. I will become stronger. He told himself again. It was more than just a simple desire now. It was his ultimate goal, what would drive his steps moving forward. This world was dangerous, he knew that for certain now. But all that meant was that in order to survive, he would just have to become dangerous himself. Chapter 9 - The Cursed Swamp Cold muck clung to Darian¡¯s boots, the bog ahead stretching into the darkness. He¡¯d traveled south for about three hours before he found the swamp. On the way he¡¯d drank the blood of a rabbit, a small snake, and a crow. The rabbit didn¡¯t net him any new XP, but it did with the crow and snake. This brought his total race XP to (13/40). He was hopeful that the stinking bog ahead would provide something useful. A path twisted its way through shallow pools of black water and rotting logs. Trees were scattered about, their thick trunks and branches covered in a bright green moss that flowed in the wind. Fireflies flashed their probing lights along the way, the air filled with the hissing of insects and the croaking of frogs. Darian had to move slowly, the muddy path anything but stable. More than once he lost his footing and nearly tumbled into the murky waters. Here and there the dark waves lapped against the path¡¯s edge, slithering creatures parting as Darian approached. His iron longsword was out and ready. There was no telling what strange creatures could be inhabiting this swamp. The night sky was a blotch of grey clouds, any light from above choked by their presence. Darian¡¯s enhanced night vision helped some, but this was the first time he was struggling to see in the dark. Ahead, the path forked. On one side, it snaked along the edge of some trees before it disappeared in their midst. The other path went deeper into the bogs, moss hanging down in thick clumps from the branches above. Darian decided to take the path that went into the trees, hopeful to find something tucked away behind them. Rounding a bend, he made out the shape of a wall. Small planks started to take up the center of the path, creating ground that was a little more stable. Closer now, the ruined home came into full view. It was relatively small, comprised of a single floor and a slanted roof that looked ready to give at a moment¡¯s notice. The walls were covered in the same moss that coated the nearby trees, and the two windows at the home¡¯s front stared out like the dead eyes of a long-forgotten corpse. Darian prodded the door and it fell back with a clatter, the thin piece of wood long ago rotting off its hinges. The inside was dark, almost too dark for Darian to make anything out. His foot caught on something, and he jumped back, blade at the ready. Just a moldy rug. He inched forward, being sure to stay light on his feet. There was a clatter, then two sets of clawed feet were scampering at him from the corners. His blade slashed out and met flesh. The creature he struck retreated, but he could smell its blood. He rushed forward and brought his blade down from over his head. There was a crunch, a quick spasm, then the creature lay still. Teeth sank into Darian¡¯s leg from behind and he spun, sword slashing down. He made out the shape out of a giant rat, its grey furred body tensing for another attack. Darian lowered his stance and cast [Shard]. As the hunk of ice collided with the rat, Darian lunged and impaled the monster. Blood oozed from its mouth, its claws scratching at the blade buried deep in its gut. Darian freed his sword with a twist and ended the rat with his next swing.
Enemies Defeated [Giant Rat Lv. 1] [Giant Rat Lv. 2] Class XP Gained: 5 Progress to Class Lv. 3 (13/50)
Darian knelt down and forced himself to drink some of the dead creature¡¯s blood.
Giant Rat Blood
Drinking blood when he wasn¡¯t hungry for it made his stomach turn, but the slight healing it provided was worth it. One step closer to leveling up. He looked around, eyes slowly adjusting to the near pitch-black darkness. He searched the house, but it seemed to have been cleaned out of nearly everything. Only a rug and an overturned table remained. The rats¡¯ nest in the corner proved a little more lucrative. The creatures had burrowed into the floor and lined their hole with material from the swamp. Amidst the refuse was a silver chain that gave off a faint glow. As soon as Darian picked it up, a screen appeared.
Item Obtained: Chain of mist [Equipment]
Veil of Mist
Darian slipped the chain around his neck, his body tingling in response. The extra perception was only slightly noticeable. His eyes seemed to focus a bit better in the dark, and he could now more accurately make out the sound of rustling branches outside. Instinctually, he knew he could cast his new spell by holding out his palm and willing the power forth. Could come in handy, but I¡¯ll need to try it out first. He cast [Detect Magic] to be sure nothing out of the ordinary was going on. When all seemed clear, he wiped the blood from his blade with a rag made from his old shirt and then set back down the path. The air outside was cool, cold enough to chill even Darian¡¯s cold resistant skin. A harsh wind was blowing through, bringing with it the faint scent of decay. When Darian arrived back at the fork in the path, a few rain droplets were steadily falling from above. A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. Continue exploring, or head back? This was the farthest he¡¯d been from his cave since he arrived in the new world, and that set an excited but fear tinged jolt through his body. He would continue, but if the weather turned too sour, he would have to turn back. At least with the use of his map he didn¡¯t have to worry about getting lost. This path was covered in moss that hung down from low arching branches. It swayed violently in the wind, the wet plants getting stuck on Darian¡¯s face more than once. A few other avenues through the swamp jutted off as he went, but they could be explored later. This path was wider than the others, and Darian didn¡¯t fancy the idea of needing to rush back on a narrow trail. After walking for a few minutes, Darian stopped. He could swear some of the hanging moss had been following him. He moved slower, glancing back after every other step. Maybe I¡¯m starting to lose my mind? But then he heard a faint, wet squelch at his back. He turned just in time for a wave of purple fog to envelope him. A slimy, tentacle covered creature hung from the branches above, most of its body wrapped in the same moss that swayed from the trees. Each tentacle ended in a sharp barb, and a cluster of a hundred tiny eyes blinked at him. What Darian figured was the creature¡¯s mouth was open, purple fog still blowing from the hole. Darian expected to start hacking, or for his skin to start peeling. Purple fog in video games nearly always meant poison. But then he remembered. I¡¯m immune to poison. And I don¡¯t breathe. He hacked at the limb the creature dangled from, sending both the wood and the monster crashing to the ground. A [Flare] followed by a [Determined Strike] saw the creature shed half its tentacles, dark blood oozing out of the stumps. A shrill squeal erupted from the creature as its barbed tentacles lashed out. It was incredibly fast, but Darian managed to jump just out of reach. Then the moss behind him jerked and another of the monsters emerged, hanging upside down from the branches above. Purple fog exploded from its mouth, but it again had no effect. Darian sliced the tentacle it was using to grip the branch and the creature plummeted to the ground in a writhing mass. Stuck between the two, Darian vaulted over his new opponent, catching a slash across the back of his legs as he did so. But the wound was shallow. These don¡¯t seem to hit very hard. He drove his blade down and hacked at the monster, purple fog still spewing from its mouth. After a series of stabs followed by a blast from [Shard], the creature finally lay still. The remaining monster crawled on the ground, tentacles whipping and lashing in a crazed frenzy. But the beast was slow on the ground, and so Darian backed away firing off alternating blasts from his spells until it died.
Enemies Defeated [Minor Horror Lv. 5] [Minor Horror Lv. 6] Class XP Gained: 26 Progress to Class Lv. 3 (39/50)
He blinked at the XP gains, half expecting this to be some kind of glitch. To be sure, he checked his character sheet and saw he only needed eleven more XP to reach level four. But¡­they were so weak? He picked up one of the bodies, the stench wafting from it nearly unbearable. A little more of that purple fog leaked out as he inspected its corpse. Ah, the poison. These seemed to be some kind of ambush predator, and judging by their weak combat ability, their poison was probably how they ended fights. Due to his immunity, Darian had no way of knowing just how potent this poison was, but he figured it had to be pretty strong to justify the XP. As he stared at the mass of dark tentacles dangling from his hand, a smile spread across his face. These monsters were worth at least thirteen or fourteen XP each, and their main method of attack was useless against Darian. I think I may have just discovered a farming location. He dropped the creature onto the ground and then wiped his slimy hand along his cloak. The wind had started to die down, but the rain was picking up. But I can¡¯t leave yet. I¡¯m so close! Darian looked down at the monster¡¯s body. Dark blood was still leaking from its severed tentacles. He could tell by the smell that the blood was edible, but the thought of his mouth getting anywhere near the stinking creature made him want to throw up. But drinking its blood should give me race XP. Ugh... He cut the creature open with his sword and then hauled its body over his head. Squeezing with both hands, he opened his mouth and let the blood fall onto his tongue.
Minor Horror Blood
Huh. I guess I can get stuff stronger than some minor stat boosts from the blood I drink. He tossed the monster¡¯s body into the murky swamp water. His Race XP had increased by five for drinking the blood of a new category of creature, bringing his total to (18/40). Since he was so close to reaching class level four, he decided to press on. Even just one more of the little freaks would see him gain a level. The thick, hanging moss eventually relented, giving way to open skies and a wide area ringed by tall pines. The ground here was spongy, but clumps of thin grass kept it tethered. The rotting carcass of a wolf lay in the center of the field ahead. Darian approached cautiously, eyes glancing into the trees for more tentacle wreathed monstrosities. The wolf¡¯s body had been there a while, flies and maggots already feasting on the tattered remains. But something large writhed in its chest. Are those¡­giant larva? A sound prickled Darian¡¯s ear. It was faint, but he heard a buzzing somewhere off in the trees. He stepped back, the sound growing louder. A pink shape emerged from the distant branches, hovering in the air. Its abdomen pulsated and a long, needle-like appendage stuck out from its narrow face. Upon spotting Darian, the insect¡¯s wings began to flap frantically, filling the air with a horrid buzzing. Then more buzzing escaped the surrounding trees and Darian¡¯s foot edged back. The first creature dove at him with blinding speed, the needle on its face nearly catching him in the chest. He blasted it with [Flare], killing it in a single blow. But more were streaming out of the trees. Darian turned and then slipped, just barely stopping himself from falling. A sharp pain screamed from his shoulder, and he felt his blood being sucked out. His sword severed the creature¡¯s head, but another buried its spear like appendage in his arm. [Shard] killed it and he ducked under a swooping strike. He dashed for the path, but his vision blurred. It was like he had become suddenly exhausted. Another needle point punched him in the hip right before he reached the trees, and he fell face first into the mud. Chapter 10 - Screams in the Night The world faded, but Darian fought to stay conscious. He clawed to his feet, his sword slashing in great arcs to beat away the buzzing insects. He tore one free with his hand, hacked another in half. Dozens buzzed in the air, hovering and waiting for their moment to strike. Darian¡¯s legs buckled, his whole body sucked dry of energy. I¡¯m going to die. He slid, his back colliding with a tree. What will happen to me if I die again? But he wouldn¡¯t let them have him. With a cry he set his feet and marched toward the path out, blade cutting down great swaths of the creatures. Now underneath the swinging vines that led to safety, Darian¡¯s legs completely gave out. He rolled, just barely missing the tip of an insect¡¯s needle. The rest of the creatures waited not far away, seeming to stick close to their little nest inside the dead wolf. But they were moving closer, more cautious now, but they drew nearer by the second. Darian fired off spells, but at this distance the creatures managed to dodge most of them. Crawling through the muck, Darian felt something metal tug on his neck. The chain! Instinctively, Darian opened his palm and cast [Veil of Mist]. A dark blue wave spread from Darian¡¯s outstretched palm. He could sense the energy being pulled from the chain on his neck, the power pulsing from the item all the way to his fingertips. As the wave spread to engulf the path and hide his location, Darian crawled forward. Stabbing his sword into the ground, he pulled himself up and hobbled beneath the swinging veins. One of the tentacle horrors appeared from above, its purple mist harmlessly flowing around Darian. He ignored it, hoping the beast would stay away. Thankfully it remained above, and Darian reached the area where the trees ended without incident. But he was so weak now, each movement a struggle. Blood. I need blood. The dark swamp stretched around him, but he could see nothing to consume. But then a snake slithered across the path, its thick body covered in glistening black scales. Darian cast [Command Animal] on it, thankful when the spell worked. His fangs sank into it, and he drained it dry as quickly as he could.
Enemies Defeated [Blood Bug Lv. 2] x6 [Blood Bug Lv. 3] x2 Class XP Gained: 15 [Class Level Three Reached] Progress to Class Lv. 4 (6/75)
Darian ignored the notification and plodded forward, the buzz of the blood bugs still at his back. Down the path he slipped, his legs still unsteady. He splashed, thrashing as he heard the creatures closing in. Wading through the waist deep water, he forced his weakened body to press on. When he reached the far bank, he bolted through the clutch of trees ahead. He ran and ran, strange noises and other creatures of the swamp appearing around every corner. I hate swamps! He tripped over a log and rolled, bounced back to his feet and kept plowing through. Eventually the darkness of the swamp faded, the clam of regular woodland replacing it. Darian pulled up his map, shocked at how far northeast he¡¯d traveled. Currently, he was closer to that rat infested temple than his cave. Sun will be up before long. I have to make it back soon. Shaking out his sore arms and legs, Darian set off. *** He loped his way through the forest, snatching branches and roots doing their best to tangle him. He eventually dismissed his map, the general direction of his cave easy enough to find due to the mountain at his back. As he was stepping over the rotten remains of a toppled oak tree, he heard the distant clash of steel. Instantly he lowered into a crouch. There was shouting somewhere close by. Darian couldn¡¯t quite make out the words, but they were frantic. A great wind blew through the trees, swaying them, all sound muffled by scratching branches. Should I investigate? The cries were distinctly human, possibly belonging to whoever set those traps. Darian teetered on the edge, half poised to run toward the voice and half poised to run for his cave. The pained scream decided for him. Darian crashed through the trees; sword clutched tight in his hand. He toppled down a hill, rolled and kept sprinting. His feet splashed across a shallow stream, the water tinted red. Another scream echoed between the trees, this one lighter, softer. A woman. Voices called out, distant torchlight dotting the darkness. The wind howled, whipping at Darian¡¯s ears. He was close now, the sweet coppery scent of blood filling the air. He curved around a huge boulder that hid a small glade, movement at its center. He spotted a huge, grey furred figure hunched over the body of a man. The creature was massive, easily three times the size of the wolf Darian had killed. It turned its red eyes at him and its lips peeled back, revealing rows of gore drenched teeth. Regarding Darian for a moment, it sped into the trees, its body shimmering and then fading from view. The man¡¯s stomach was torn wide open, cut so deeply he was nearly torn in half. Great claw marks flayed the flesh across his chest, and a shattered bow lay by his side. The scent of his blood was nothing like what Darian had experienced thus far. It pulled him closer, beckoned for him to taste it. No. Darian willed his body to stop, but it was as if he¡¯d been possessed. His feet slid across the blood drenched grass, his fangs ready to sink into the succulent meal laying at his feet. This is wrong. But it didn¡¯t feel wrong. His body wanted it, needed it. There was something in this man¡¯s blood, something Darian craved from the deepest depths of his soul. Power. If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. ¡°Father!¡± The girl¡¯s cry brought reality into focus and Darian swayed, stumbling suddenly like a drunk. She was young, probably only around sixteen or seventeen. A red smear worked its way up one side of her face and one of her arms hung limp by her side, dripping blood. Darian opened his mouth to speak, but the girl stepped back, the dagger in her hand shaking. I have to leave. Now. Using all the strength he could muster, Darian rushed into the forest. The girl¡¯s screams faded behind him, a sick churning swirling in Darian¡¯s stomach at what he almost did. He didn¡¯t know where he was going, and he didn¡¯t care. It wasn¡¯t until he tripped over a stone and landed face first on a slab of rock that the world was brought back into focus. He rolled to his feet, body heavy. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn¡¯t get the smell of that man¡¯s blood out of his nose. Just thinking about it made his mouth water. But who were those people? And that creature¡­ Darian had no doubt the beast could have killed him easily, but it hadn¡¯t. Why did it spare me? A million questions surged in Darian¡¯s mind, but he dispelled them. I need to get back to my cave before the sun rises. He¡¯d ended up running east of the Ruined Temple before taking a sharp turn south. But his cave wasn¡¯t too far, just a bit further along. With his mind still yearning for answers, Darian crept up a nearby hill and jogged his way through the undergrowth. He was at his cave before too long and he slumped onto the muddy ground at the pond''s edge. His reflection stared back at him, his white hair tugged by the breeze. A part of him wanted to throw up, but he smothered the sensation. This isn¡¯t my fault. His new body craved blood on a level his old body couldn¡¯t understand. The need for it in the glade was overwhelming. If the girl hadn¡¯t shown up, he probably would still be face first in that man¡¯s guts. But I managed to resist. Barely, but I did. This thirst can be controlled. Darian clenched his fists. There are people out there, but I can¡¯t be around them. Not yet. Not until I master this...desire of mine With his wounds stinging him, Darian nestled into his cave, darkness taking him. *** Darian woke with a start, sunlight blinding him. He jumped back, his arms flying up to shield himself. After a moment of calm, he blinked at the light. I¡¯m still inside, it¡¯s okay. Looking at the light churned his stomach and sent his whole-body rigid. Never in his past life had he felt such a primal fear. But why am I awake? He crept forward, careful to keep his body wreathed in shadow. There¡¯s something out there. A blurred shape lingered at the other end of the pond; its form shrouded by the sun¡¯s bright glare. Darian rubbed his eyes and inched closer. Slowly, his eyes focused, the shape of a man appearing. ¡°Carn!¡± the man called, the sudden sound causing Darian to jump back. ¡°Carn!¡± The man was tall, tan skinned, and dressed in a mixture of fur and leather. A sun-bleached bow loomed in his hand and a quiver of arrows hung at his hip. An axe slung across his back and three steel daggers glinted across his chest. ¡°Carn!¡± he shouted. For a half a moment, Darian thought about calling out to him. But then he remembered the previous night. The girl. The screams. No, he would keep his mouth shut. If this man turned into an enemy, Darian would be defenseless. Though he at least seems preoccupied. I just hope he doesn¡¯t come over here. As soon as Darian finished his thoughts, the man¡¯s eyes turned on the cave. Shit. He walked closer, close enough that Darian could see the fresh scar across his cheek and the stubble growing on his young face. He doesn¡¯t look much older than me. Well, me before I died. Darian shifted toward the back of the cave, gripping his sword tight. It would take a moment for the stranger¡¯s eyes to adjust, and Darian would seize him while he had the chance. But then what? Images of himself slicing the man¡¯s throat and drinking his warm blood filled his mind. He tried to shake the thoughts away but couldn¡¯t. Please, just turn around. Darian licked his lips, could already feel his fangs extending, his body yearning for his next meal. The man stopped, his body tense. He cocked his head to the right, listening. Whatever he was trying to hear, Darian couldn¡¯t make it out. In a burst of motion almost too quick to follow, he knocked an arrow and sent it flying into the bushes. Something growled, trees and branches creaking in protest as something huge sped away. The man cursed and pulled another arrow free. With one last glance at the cave, he sprinted in pursuit of the creature. Darian sat perfectly still until he was sure the man was gone. He slumped back and let the sword fall out of his hand. Killing when your life is on the line is one thing, he knew that. Even if it was another person, he would do what he needed to in order to survive. But what I felt. I would have murdered that man if given the chance. He punched the cave wall, his fist pulling away with bloodied knuckles. Anger bubbled up in his chest, boiling until it became a molten rage in his veins. You¡¯re weak. He wanted to thrash about, scream, rage until his self-pity was expelled. ¡°Grow up,¡± he said, his body easing. He¡¯d spent his whole life needing other people to take care of him. Endless hours under the care of his parents and doctors, watchful eyes always monitoring. But he was alone now. His problems were his and his alone to fix, and throwing a tantrum wouldn¡¯t help. I won¡¯t let my thirst control me. I won¡¯t let anything control me. He let the back of his head rest on the wall, the fire in his veins subsiding. I need to find out what¡¯s going on. The traps, the people in the forest, and that giant, dark furred monster were all causing his new life a little too much trouble. But there was little he could do with the sun still up. He crawled to the end of the cave and relaxed, letting his thoughts of tomorrow fade. *** Gershank watched the pale man fall back into slumber. It would be easy to kill him now, claim vengeance for spoiling his meal. One bite around the throat and it would be over. But he would wait. He¡¯d been there, feasting on an elk when the winged creatures carried the pale man down from a shining portal in the sky. He was not normal. Not of this world. Gershank could tell, taste it in the air. No, he would wait. The rangers and Justicars from the village would be back soon, and with greater numbers. And he could use another ally, even an unwilling one. Gershank licked his lips. Never have so many delicacies wandered into my forest at once. He laughed, the sound like two stones grating together. Sleep well, blood drinker. I will continue to watch you from the shadows. May you continue to entertain me. A song drifted through the air, a sweet melody only Gershank could hear. My mistress calls, until we meet again. He gave the pale man and his cave one last parting glance before he slipped deeper into the forest, his mouth watering at the carnage that would soon be unleashed. Chapter 11 - The Living and the Dead The first thing Darian did after waking was check his wounds. Surprisingly, the holes torn in his body by the giant mosquitoes were fully healed. His HP however, had not fully recovered. I guess because they sucked out my blood and I haven¡¯t filled back up? His near-death experience in the swamp sent a mental shiver down his spine. I need to be extra careful around creatures who can drain me like that. He padded out into the starlight and remembered he leveled up. In his mad dash to escape, he had hardly registered the notification. He was still trying to reach the Spellblade advanced class and needed one additional level in Mage and Warrior to reach it. Both new levels would increase his stats a bit and give him a new skill. Mage gave him [Shocking Grasp], a short ranged lighting spell with a chance to stun. Warrior provided [Dash Strike], a gap closing attack with an equipped weapon. After thinking about it for a bit, Darian decided to level mage for now to give him more magical damage options.
Mage Lv. 2
Shocking Grasp Range: Touch
Quest Completed: In Search of Power
Darian blinked at the quest reward. I forgot I even had that quest. Like with his clothes, the belt was placed in his inventory after he dismissed the reward screen. He wasted no time equipping it.
Item obtained: Belt of Minor Constitution Belt of Minor Constitution
After the item was wrapped around his waist, a new notification appeared. It hovered above the belt warning Darian he¡¯d reached his limit on magical items. It didn¡¯t say exactly what would happen if he equipped more, so he figured he¡¯d cross that bridge when he got there. Not like I have any other ones to put on. His Constitution determined how many magical items he could equip, with a new slot unlocking after every eight points of Constitution he had. Another reason to level up Warrior, I guess. But enough thinking about levels and looking at screens. He was hungry. He was about to wander into the forest in search of a meal when something moved in the underbrush. After a moment, a dark shape lurched into view, big but walking on all fours. It padded out into the open, stopping at the other end of the pond. Another wolf. The beast sat and stared at Darian, its fur dark but parted here and there by silvery scars. They regarded each other, the wolf clearly wary. Darian¡¯s sword was at his side, ready for when the beast attacked. It never did. After it was clear no fighting would be happening, the wolf drank from the pond. It never took its eyes off Darian, who watched it in kind. This one seems strong. Far stronger than the one I killed in the cave. There was something old in the amber eyed creatures gaze, something fierce too. The muscles on its legs tensed as it lifted its head from the pond, ears twitching. A distant howl rang out, and the wolf sped into the dark embrace of the forest. Darian relaxed and retrieved his cloak. I guess I should expect animals to come here from time to time. It is a source of water, after all. He stopped as he realized something. I haven¡¯t had to drink any water this whole time. Guess blood satisfies both my hunger and my thirst. He shrugged. At least it made his meals convenient. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. He quickly ran across a few unfortunate animals deep inside the forest. Draining them, he let these bodies stay where they were. There wasn¡¯t a need to bury them so far out and he was sure some scavenger would come by and clean it up anyway. Circle of life and all that. When he was getting ready to head back for some spell accuracy training, he heard a noise. It was faint, a small whimper on the breeze. He followed it down a short slope and across shallow stream. In the dark shadow of an overturned tree was a red fox. It was biting at its ankle, the smell of blood in the air. But Darian was full and the smell did little to distract him. ¡°What¡¯s wrong little buddy?¡± he said, starting to feel like the days alone were making him insane. It wasn¡¯t until he got right up to the fox that he realized its leg was caught in some kind of snare, one the fox had nearly chewed through. ¡°That one¡¯s mine, stranger,¡± A low voice said from Darian¡¯s back. ¡°Now, why don¡¯t you turn around slowly.¡± Darian looked about, thinking of fleeing. But there was a person behind him. Someone to talk to. And someone to ask questions. Then he remembered the previous night and the girl who screamed at him, how he barely managed to tear himself away from the man¡¯s corpse. No, he had to get away. But how? ¡°I said turn around,¡± the man commanded, the sound of a tightening bowstring following soon after. Running would only earn him an arrow in the back, and so he slowly turned. Standing atop the small hill was the same man Darian had seen the previous day. His bow was in his hands, an arrow pulled back. The cut on his cheek was an angry shade of red, but the flesh had been stitched. He regarded Darian with confusion, his brow drawing down. ¡°Who are you and where did you come from?¡± He asked, string tightening a little more. ¡°I¡¯m Darian,¡± he said waving his hand halfheartedly. ¡°Hi?¡± The man cocked his head to the side, his sandy beard and dirt smeared face making him look much older than he really was. ¡°I do not know of this Hi place. Is it from beyond the Alendar mountains?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a greeting,¡± Darian said, waving his hand again. ¡°I¡¯m a friend.¡± Am I though? Despite being full, the wound on the ranger¡¯s cheek smelt delicious. ¡°I see. Forgive me, I have seldom left these lands. Still,¡± he slowly lowered his bow. ¡°What is a half-naked man doing in these woods?¡± Darian really didn¡¯t know how to answer that. He¡¯d also forgotten how weird he must look. He was shirtless with just a thin cloak covering his upper half. Judging by how cold the air was, someone without his cold resistance would probably be freezing to death. ¡°I¡¯m¡­lost.¡± Close enough to the truth. The ranger finally lowered his bow. ¡°You¡¯ve picked a bad time to get lost, friend. There¡¯s a war going on in these woods.¡± ¡°A war?¡± ¡°Yes. One between the living and the dead.¡± He looked over his shoulder, a nervous twitch to his movements. ¡°They come to my village each night. I went with a band of Justicars from Ulsfel to stop them, but we¡¯ve been separated for days. They¡¯re powerful, but they come from a place of stone and waves, not root and bark. I fear they will be picked off if I do not find and guide them to safety.¡± I guess the man and the girl from last night were part of his group? ¡°Where is your village?¡± ¡°A few days north, toward the mountains. But I can¡¯t guide you there, I¡¯m sorry. I have to find them.¡± His shoulders slumped. ¡°There was another guide from my village with us, Carn. I found signs of him and his daughter yesterday, but the trail ran cold. Have you seen anyone in these woods? Heard anything?¡± What do I tell him? Carn is probably that guy I found last night. But I don¡¯t want to go back there. The blood¡­the gore. Mind still swirling, the man drew his bow string and settled into a crouch. ¡°They are coming,¡± he said, ear turned up. ¡°Twelve shamblers, one with armor. A Bone Knight perhaps.¡± He nodded at Darian. ¡°Do you have a camp? A place to hide?¡± I do. But should he really take this guy back to the only safe place in this cursed forest? He could lead him to the temple, but it would be clear no one had been staying there. ¡°They are nearly upon us.¡± The ranger whispered something and the tip of his arrow suddenly gleamed red. ¡°Can you fight?¡± ¡°I can,¡± Darian said, glancing over his shoulder. I could run now, slip away before he realizes it. ¡°I can pick some off at range, but I am no frontline fighter. I see you carry a blade. If you can keep them off me, we stand a chance.¡± This was his opportunity. The ranger was fully turned around, his attention on the approaching threat. Darian could sprint away and be gone before the ranger even had a chance to turn around. But what will happen to him if I flee? Darian never had the chance to help anyone in his previous life. In fact, he spent nearly all of it being helped by others. Doctors, nurses, his parents¡ªan infinite line of people extending their support. Maybe then it¡¯s time to return the favor. Darian drew his blade and marched up the hill and past the ranger. ¡°My name is Carver, by the way,¡± he said after Darian passed. Darian glanced over his shoulder to find the young ranger smiling. Then he turned and set his stance. ¡°Now then, let¡¯s try and make it out of this alive.¡± With his right hand holding his sword and his left crackling with electricity, Darian prepared for his hardest battle yet. Chapter 12 - Bone Knight The first skeleton to step from the trees shambled into the starlight, leather buckler and sword rattling against its bleached bones. Darian heard Carver release his arrow and then the skeleton exploded, flame leaping from its shattered body. ¡°I have two more uses,¡± Carver said, knocking another arrow. ¡°I¡¯ll try not to hit you.¡± Reassuring. Observing the burning pile of bones reminded Darian he had a hefty 50% weakness to fire. He fought the urge to back away as the undead shambled closer, flames leaping out. But once the horde wandered into range, Darian fired off as many uses of [Flare] as he could. His aim was a bit better than last time, but that mattered little. The skeletons were in a tight row and hard to miss. But their shields were up, and more than one of Darian¡¯s spells bounced harmlessly off a buckler. ¡°A Spellblade,¡± Carver said, his arrow taking one of the creatures down. ¡°A good ally to have.¡± Darian kept casting [Flare], the horde advancing in lockstep through the blasts. ¡°Not quite a Spellblade yet, but I¡¯m working on it.¡± Do classes and such work for normal people like they do for me? Darian hadn¡¯t thought much about the system at play here and how it might interact with the regular inhabitants of this world. But asking about it would have to wait, as a large shape appeared behind the two rows of skeletons, towering and covered in thick armor. ¡°A Bone Knight,¡± Carver spat. ¡°He¡¯s going to empower the others. You got any way to take him down quickly? A fireball maybe?¡± ¡°All I have left is a few flares on that front. But I¡¯ve got an ice spell and shock spell at the ready.¡± ¡°Unless they¡¯re Tier 3 or higher, they won¡¯t do the job fast enough.¡± Carver sucked in a breath, his stance widening. ¡°Get ready for a tough fight.¡± The Bone Knight raised its arms, revealing a massive axe in one hand and a greatshield in the other. From the open face of its helmet, two swirling red orbs stared at them. With its arms still outstretched, it bellowed. The harsh, grating sound scraped at Darian¡¯s ears, the trees and bushes rustling around him. The skeletons suddenly became enveloped in a thin, purple fog. They moved faster, covering the distance between them swiftly. ¡°Hold them off!¡± Carver cried, an arrow exploding into the center of the approaching monsters. But they charged through the flames, swords held high. Darian knocked the first blow wide and came back with a thudding slash. His sword cracked against the skeleton¡¯s ribs, but the blow was dampened by both the creature¡¯s buff and its resistance to bladed weapons. Reaching for it, Darian grabbed the monster by its forearm and used [Shocking Grasp]. The electricity from his hand spread through the skeleton¡¯s body and it burst apart. Another sword came from Darian¡¯s left. He blocked it but another blade caught him along the leg and he stumbled back, a strip of flesh torn from his thigh. ¡°Duck!¡± Darian did as Carver commanded, his leg screaming at him as he lowered. There was a blue flash and a thick gust of wind. It nearly tore Darian off his feet, but he regained his balance and leaned up just in time to block an attack aimed for his head. The strike forced Darian down and blood seeped from the wound in his leg. Whatever the Bone Knight had done made their strikes much harder and faster. Even using both arms, it was all Darian could do to keep the skeleton¡¯s sword from cleaving into him. An arrow bounced off the monster¡¯s forehead, the downward pressure lessening just enough for Darian to burst up and then finish the creature off with a [Determined Strike]. But then two of the creatures appeared behind their fallen brother, their swords stabbing at Darian in unison. He backed away, but the tip of each blade jabbed into his stomach. He cried out, the pain resistance his new body provided faltering under the attack. I might die here. Darian stumbled, eyes scanning the trees for an avenue of escape. But I¡¯m not alone, I can¡¯t just run. Carver was still loosing arrow after arrow behind Darian, his breath hissing through clenched teeth. I can¡¯t outrun the skeletons easily with their new speed, but if I left Carver behind¡­Darian shook his head and brought his sword up, angry at himself for even thinking about abandoning Carver. But things aren¡¯t looking good. There were two skeletons directly in front of him with several more trailing behind. Carver¡¯s arrows had taken down a few and broken up their formation, but they still plodded forward. Worse, the Bone Knight was starting to advance, though it was much slower than its smaller companions. Darian brought his left hand up to cast [Flare], but he was already out of uses. Instead, he waited for one of the skeletons to attack, knocked the blow away, and grabbed its arm. Using [Shocking Grasp] he was able to kill it instantly. Seems like they still have low HP, but they resist my sword. I¡¯ll have to rely on this spell for now. The other skeleton came at him with a wide swing, but Darian was able to block it. After fighting them in the cabin and again now, Darian realized all their attacks came from the same simple angles. Even if they were faster and hit harder, their attacks were still predictable. Feeling confident, Darian smashed the skeleton¡¯s buckler with [Determined Strike], then finished it with [Shocking Grasp] while it was off balance. He hacked at the next two that approached trying to keep light on his feet. Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. ¡°He¡¯s coming!¡± Carver shot some kind of whistling arrow at the approaching Bone Knight. It blocked the attack with its massive shield, but then its whole body was enveloped in a glowing amber light. ¡°He¡¯s slowed,¡± Carver said, sliding down the hill to Darian¡¯s side. ¡°But I¡¯m out of arrows.¡± He brought his arms up, a curved dagger in each hand. ¡°Let¡¯s finish off the little ones.¡± Darian nodded and brought his sword down in a savage chop. It cracked into the skeleton¡¯s collar bone, splitting it down the middle. But his sword was stuck, and the creature swiped sideways with its sword. It would have caught Darian in the ribs had Carver not stepped in close and blocked the attack. But even though it was both his arms against the skeleton¡¯s one, the archer was still knocked back. He had given Darian the time he needed though, and he freed his sword with a boot to the skeleton¡¯s chest. A quick slash and a cast of [Shard] finished it. That still left four more in total, and while Carver set himself against one, the remaining three rushed Darian. He did his best to put one in front of the other, but the extra speed the Bone Knight¡¯s buff gave them made outmaneuvering difficult. They slashed and stabbed, each strike simple but the volume made them difficult to block and parry. More than once Darian¡¯s skin met the scrape of iron, and before long his whole body was covered in weeping wounds. And just like with the Blood Bugs, his loss of blood was rendering him unbelievably weak. I can¡¯t let it end here. Carver was struggling against his opponent, each of the skeleton¡¯s strikes driving him further and further back. And Carver didn¡¯t seem to have the benefits of fatigue immunity like Darian did. Sweat pooled on his brow and he was moving slower and slower. If they didn¡¯t do something soon, they would be finished. Then, from the bushes opposite Darian, a dark furred creature sped across the ground. It leapt up, snarling, its fangs barred. It crashed into the skeleton Carver was fighting, knocking it prone right before it would have skewered the archer. In the pale starlight, Darian recognized the beast. It¡¯s that wolf from the pond earlier, the one with all the scars. It raised its head and howled, the sound pained. But something about it flowed into Darian¡¯s body, and he was overtaken by a tingling energy.
Buff Applied: Pack Leader''s Howl
The new power coursed through Darian¡¯s veins, and he could feel his muscles and tendons increase in strength. With a [Determined Strike] he took one skeleton¡¯s head clean off. The next tried to raise its buckler, but with his small increase in speed Darian was fast enough to crunch into its skull, his sword leaving a cracked line across the monster¡¯s face. He finished it off with a spell, turning his attention on the last remaining skeleton. But before he could act the wolf was on it, jaws clamping around its head. With a jerk and a crunch, the skeleton¡¯s head was torn free of its body. Now all that remained was the Bone Knight. The amber light around it faded and its speed increased. For whatever reason it seemed focused on Darian, its red eyes narrowing as it approached. ¡°Capture,¡± it rasped. ¡°Valmier awaits.¡± ¡°Keep it busy while I collect my arrows,¡± Carver said, putting away his daggers. Darian approached the Bone Knight slowly, circling it as the massive creature watched him. The wolf plodded nearby, circling from the opposite direction. He wasn¡¯t sure why it suddenly jumped to their aid, but he wasn¡¯t going to question it now. ¡°Capture,¡± the Bone Knight raised its axe. ¡°Yeah, I heard you the first time.¡± Must be a friend of that dual wielding asshole from the cabin. Darian blasted the Bone Knight with [Shard], probing its defenses. But despite its size, it used the greatshield it wielded deftly. It blocked the spell, then sprang forward in a sudden burst of movement. Darian¡¯s sword clanged against the thick blade of the axe, the vibrations from the blow spreading all the way into his toes. If he wasn¡¯t being buffed, Darian figured he would be cut in two from the blow. But then the next strike came even harder, the sudden increase in strength was just like when Darian used [Determined Strike]. It flung him backwards and he rolled, chest burning. Looking down, he saw his sword had snapped in two and a great gash spread from his left shoulder to his right. The pain was nearly unbearable, and Darian reflexively checked his health.
HP: 15/100
He crawled back, his broken sword held up in a pitiful attempt to save himself. ¡°Capture.¡± The Bone Knight marched toward Darian, each of its heavy iron steps kicking up dirt and crushing the bones of the fallen. When it reached for him, the wolf clamped onto the monster¡¯s leg. An arrow bounced off his helmet the next second, and Darian was being pulled back. ¡°This is my last one,¡± Carver slipped something into Darian¡¯s hand. ¡°Make good use of it.¡± Without thinking about it, Darian uncorked the small vial and drank the crimson fluid.
Minor Healing Potion: +15 HP
As the warm liquid settled in Darian¡¯s stomach, he felt the pain stinging him lessen and some of his strength return. He threw his broken sword down and pulled his iron dagger from his inventory. ¡°Should we run?¡± Darian asked. Carver grit his teeth, a haunted look in his eyes. ¡°Cowards run.¡± ¡°But they survive.¡± The Bone Knight kicked and the wolf rolled away with a whimper. ¡°If we try and fight that thing, we¡¯re going to die.¡± Carver stared at the towering monster, hands white against his bow. But then he turned and whistled, the wolf running to his side. ¡°We flee.¡± ¡°I know a place we can rest,¡± Darian motioned for Carver to follow. ¡°It¡¯s not too far.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll have to be swift to lose the Bone Knight, but lead the way.¡± He placed a hand on the wolf¡¯s head, patting its dark fur. ¡°Follow us, Zan.¡± The wolf looked like it nodded in response, but that couldn¡¯t be right. ¡°Alright follow me,¡± Darian set off for his cave, his new companions close behind him. Chapter 13 - Keeping Secrets Darian slowed, the buff from the wolf seeping from his body. The loss in speed wasn¡¯t substantial, but it was enough to make him worry about the Bone Knight on their heels. While Carver and the wolf sprang through the forest silently, each of Darian¡¯s steps snapped twigs and thudded against the hard ground. The Bone Knight itself was smashing through the underbrush some distance behind them. They were gaining a lead on it though, with Darian¡¯s sliced leg stinging him with each step. Eventually, the thundering steps of the Bone Knight faded, and all Darian could hear was Carver¡¯s ragged breathing. When they broke through the clearing at the pond¡¯s edge, Carver collapsed. The wolf rushed to his side and nudged his cheek, its eyes narrowed in worry. ¡°I can¡¯t¡­continue,¡± Carver said, crawling a half step forward. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯re here.¡± Darian grabbed Carver under the arm and helped him to his feet, surprised at how light the archer was. ¡°That¡¯s my cave.¡± ¡°Thank Argus,¡± Carver said, legs wobbling. ¡°Please take me to the water.¡± Darian helped the wavering man to the mud thick edge of the pond where he lowered himself to the moon''s reflection, his dry lips quivering as he pressed them against the cool liquid. The wolf helped itself to the pond in the same spot Darian had first seen it, but for some reason it wouldn¡¯t take its eyes off him. There was something in its glare that put Darian on edge, and he backed away a few paces. ¡°Let¡¯s hope we lost it,¡± Carver said rising to his feet. ¡°We are in no condition for more battle.¡±
Enemies Defeated [Skeleton Lv.1] x7 Class XP Gained: 28 Progress to Class Lv. 4 (34/75)
¡°We should be fine.¡± Seeing the notification set Darian¡¯s heart at ease. As far as he could tell, the XP notifications only happened when he was safe. That didn¡¯t mean the Bone Knight couldn¡¯t come crashing through the trees at any moment, but at least for now he was able to relax. Free from any existential threat, Darian hobbled over to the rock he liked to sit on. Once settled, he inspected his wounds. His whole body was covered in small cuts and scratches, but the healing potion he drank seemed to mend most of them. His leg was cut pretty badly, the wound still leaking a thin trail of blood. But his chest was the worst. The flesh was torn and puffy, the gash deep. He needed blood, but Carver and the wolf were right there. What am I going to tell him about my thirst? Or the sun? A nipping pain started forming in his gut. Should I have left him behind? Maybe led him somewhere else? But he knew he wouldn¡¯t be able to live with himself if he used Carver as a distraction. And the cave was the only place he knew for sure was safe. The cabin could be trapped by now and the ruined temple had too many holes in its roof. Still, what the hell am I supposed to tell him? ¡°You¡¯ve got a blessed pair of lungs, I¡¯ll give you that much,¡± Carver said, his breathing finally under control. ¡°Father and I used to run the fields each day and I thought he never tired. But you friend, you¡¯re not even sweating.¡± ¡°Yeah, guess I¡¯m just¡­different.¡± ¡°Are you?¡± Carver raised a brow. ¡°I confess, you¡¯re the first elf I¡¯ve ever met. But I¡¯ve heard stories of how your people can run leagues without need for rest.¡± Wait, elf? He thinks I¡¯m an elf? Darian reached up and touched the slightly pointed tips of his ears. I do have pointed ears and red eyes. Though my ears aren¡¯t nearly as pointed as they would be if I was an elf. At least the ones I¡¯ve seen in video games and movies. But they could always look different in this world. ¡°You¡¯ve never seen an elf before? Are they rare around here?¡± Carver blinked at Darian like he had asked the stupidest question he¡¯d ever heard. ¡°We¡¯re in Lonelen,¡± he said as if it should answer Darian¡¯s question. ¡°Right. Lonelen.¡± Darian scratched at his cheek. ¡°And¡­where is that?¡± Carver squinted at Darian. ¡°Are you alright? You¡¯re not cursed with memory loss, are you?¡± ¡°I might be,¡± Darian motioned for Carver to follow. ¡°I don¡¯t remember anything before arriving in this forest.¡± I don¡¯t like lying, but what else am I supposed to say? That I woke up ass naked in the middle of the woods? ¡°Truly,¡± Carver said, laying a supportive hand on Darian¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Then we must find the Crusader from my party. He will be able to lift your curse.¡± Good God what have I got myself into? ¡°That would be¡­great.¡± The cave mouth yawned ahead, Darian¡¯s bearskin rug and pillow calling to him. By the smell in the air, he could tell sunrise was still a few hours away. But whether it just be the events of the day or his lack of blood, Darian felt like all he wanted to do was curl up in a ball and go to sleep. ¡°This is your camp?¡± Carver asked, stepping into the cave and settling down opposite Darian. ¡°These are some fine furnishings. How long have you been in these woods?¡± ¡°About a week, I think,¡± Darian said, crouching and pressing his back to the cool wall, his chest throbbing. ¡°These are the things I¡¯ve collected around the forest since I first woke up.¡± ¡°You must be resourceful, to survive like this without your memory.¡± Carver pressed his index and middle finger to his forehead, his eyes closed. ¡°Praise be to Argus for your safety thus far.¡± Darian cocked his head to the side. ¡°Argus?¡± ¡°He is the God of the Sun,¡± Carver said, slowly opening his eyes. ¡°He holds dominion over these lands.¡± The sun huh. ¡°Do a lot of people around here worship him?¡± The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. ¡°Not so many in my village. But the Justicars serve him, and that is why we called to them for help. Argus¡¯ followers are experts in killing the undead, but I fear Carn was right when he said we should have hired adventures instead.¡± Darian groaned. While Carver and even that dual wilding skeleton from before might not have known what a vampire was, these Justicars certainly could. ¡°You said you were separated from them? How did that happen?¡± Carver pulled his knees in close, his eyes staring off like he was witnessing some unseen horror. ¡°They set on us not long after we entered this stretch of the forest. A whole horde of shamblers backed by some spellcasters and Bone Knights. One of the monsters shrouded the area in fog, and I was chased away.¡± He shook his head. ¡°But the Justicars were right behind Carn and his daughter, Fria. They have to still be out there. If a weakling like me survived, then there¡¯s no way they fell.¡± But Carn is dead. Thinking about the man¡¯s torn body and his daughter¡¯s scream made Darian sick. But it wasn¡¯t only the sight that bothered him, but the way he hungered whenever he thought about it. ¡°But Zan is here,¡± Carver said, petting the wolf who¡¯d just wander into the cave. The great beast settled beside Carver, its massive head on his lap. ¡°You two know each other?¡± Darian said, noticing the wolf still had its eyes trained on him. ¡°He¡¯s Carn¡¯s soulbound companion. All rangers have one.¡± ¡°So you¡¯re not a ranger, then?¡± Darian said, wincing in pain as he shifted. Carver frowned and gently pushed the wolf off his lap. ¡°Your wounds need binding. Let me help.¡± Carver stood and rummaged in his satchel. ¡°I am no Cleric, but I can at least bandage you.¡± He pulled out a length of tan cloth and small silvery knife. ¡°And to answer your question, no. I am no ranger yet.¡± Darian pulled himself off the wall and turned his back to Carver. ¡°How does one become a ranger?¡± He asked the question partly out of genuine curiosity, but he had another motive. This world clearly wasn¡¯t some video game, but it had a system inside it. He needed to know if the people of this world operated the same way he did. If they didn¡¯t, it might be better to keep some of the system information to himself. ¡°Endless training, friend.¡± Carver wrapped his makeshift bandage around Darian¡¯s chest, the cloth wet with some kind of salve. ¡°I¡¯ve been training for five years but I¡¯m still not good enough. This mission was supposed to help me improve, but look how things turned out.¡± He sighed. ¡°The priests of Argus can tell a man¡¯s worth, and they told me I might be as strong as I¡¯ll ever get. Some of the adventures call this being ¡®capped out¡¯, but I never liked that. I can get stronger. I know it.¡± He tightened the bandage around Darian, his hands trembling. ¡°There is so much frustration in being weak.¡± ¡°I understand.¡± Twice now Darian had to run from a fight, and this sent hot coals ablaze in his stomach. But it looks like he doesn¡¯t get stronger the same way I do. I can level up by just killing monsters and completing quests, but it seems like he has to do things the hard way. Darian felt a bit of guilt pinch his chest. He knew he was lucky, getting a second chance like this. But it seemed he was lucky even compared to the people who lived here. Wish there was something I could do to change things for him.
Quest added: Companionship Objective: Form a party of three
Darian jumped, the sudden trumpets from the quest notification still not something he was used to. ¡°Are you alright?¡± Carver asked. Darian rose, the bandage stiff against his chest. ¡°I¡¯m fine. Just felt a sudden pain.¡± ¡°We need to bandage your leg next.¡± It will heal on its own in time. Especially if I can find some blood to drink. But he couldn¡¯t tell Carver that. Plus, he couldn¡¯t count out the possibility bandaging the wound could make it heal even faster. ¡°Alright.¡± Darian leaned back against the wall, his leg held up. Carver rubbed some kind of green slush onto the bandage before he wrapped it around Darian¡¯s thigh. Being this close to someone made Darian surprisingly uncomfortable. Then he realized. This is the first person to be this close to me that isn¡¯t a family member or medical staff. The last time Darian had a friend over he was ten and the boy had to leave early when Darian started throwing up. ¡°Your skin is so cold,¡± Carver said as he finished wrapping the wound. Trying to swallow his sudden burst of embarrassment, Darian opted to change the subject. ¡°That stuff you put on the bandage, what is it?¡± Carver, much to Darian¡¯s relief, stood and backed away. ¡°A poultice made from plants in the forest.¡± He smiled. ¡°I¡¯ve been working on my alchemy in secret. I¡¯m hoping I¡¯ll be able to make potions one day. But for now, this is all I can do.¡± Curious, Darian checked his HP and found it had already increased. Guess this stuff really works. Then he froze. He¡¯d brought the screen up without thinking about it, but now it hovered right in front of Carver¡¯s face. ¡°Why are you looking at me like that?¡± Carver asked. He can¡¯t see it. ¡°Nothing.¡± Darian dismissed the screen. Carver, still with a look of confusion on his face, laid his bow and quiver down, then pulled off his fur jacket. Beneath, he was far skinnier than Darian realized, with gangly arms and bony wrists. He also realized Carver was younger than he first thought. There was a certain freshness to his face that, despite the short beard, marked him as a teenager rather than a fully grown man. ¡°We must continue my search for the others in the morning,¡± Carver said, using his jacket like a cushion as he reclined against the wall. Darian¡¯s heart fell like a stone. ¡°I¡­I can¡¯t go out in the sunlight.¡± This is it. He¡¯s going to figure out what I am. Images of the two in combat flashed in Darian¡¯s mind, and he was ashamed when the vision ended with his fangs buried in Carver¡¯s throat. The wolf nestled down at Carver¡¯s side as he stared at Darian. ¡°You can¡¯t go into the sun? By Argus...why?¡± ¡°It burns my skin,¡± Darian said, raising his pale arms. ¡°I have a rare elven condition.¡± What the hell am I saying. ¡°It¡¯s one of the only things I remembered about myself when I woke up here.¡± Carver¡¯s face grew slack and for a moment Darian thought maybe he was about to attack. But then the archer¡¯s face pinched together in sympathy. ¡°I¡¯m sorry friend. To be denied Argus¡¯ warm touch, there aren¡¯t many worse fates I can think of. But perhaps this is a curse as well?¡± Darian nodded. ¡°Maybe. Hopefully.¡± ¡°All the more reason to find the Crusader from my party.¡± Carver slowly ran his hand through the wolf¡¯s fur. ¡°I will search in the morning while I check my snares. Then we can go together at night. The undead are weakened by the sunlight, so I will be safe alone during the day.¡± His eye lids started to droop. ¡°I apologize, but I fear I am spent. Would you mind keeping first watch?¡± Darian turned and looked out into the forest, almost sure he saw something big shift between the trees. ¡°I don¡¯t mind.¡± By the time he turned around, Carver was fast asleep. He stood there a while until he was sure both Carver and the wolf were out cold. Then he crept into the forest looking for something to drink. Have to be quick and careful. Thankfully it didn¡¯t take long for a sleepy rabbit to wander across Darian¡¯s path. One quick use of [Command Animal] and it was pressed against Darian¡¯s lips, its warm blood flowing down his throat. But then a twig snapped, and Darian spun, rabbit still held to his mouth. Carver''s wolf friend lumbered out of the bushes, a knowing glare in its amber eyes. Its lips peeled back, and it growled, hackles raised. Darian let the rabbit drop to the dirt and he slowly rose, his palms facing out. ¡°Alright,¡± he said. ¡°How about you and I come to a little arrangement?¡± Chapter 14 - Into Danger ¡°Easy there,¡± Darian said, his palms still facing out. ¡°Are you hungry?¡± He slowly leaned down and plucked up the rabbit he¡¯d been draining. The wolf cocked its head to the side and licked its lips. ¡°Here you go.¡± Darian tossed the rabbit and the wolf caught it midair. The growling ceased, replaced by the crunch of bone. Is his tail wagging? Darian approached the wolf, the beast¡¯s bushy tail dragging back and forth across the moonlit grass. Hesitantly, he placed his hand on the wolf¡¯s head. It retracted at first, but then leaned into it, his tail wagging faster. ¡°Good boy.¡± He¡¯d never really had a pet in his previous life. The family dog, Bandit, had died when Darian was around six. And his allergies and general poor health kept his family from having more pets, despite Darian¡¯s urging that he wanted a dog. But now he was standing in the middle of a cursed forest petting a giant wolf that could probably eat him if it wanted to. How things can change so quickly. ¡°Now you¡¯re going to keep this whole blood drinking business between us, right?¡± Darian asked, feeling a little silly asking an animal such a question. But then it leaned up and licked his face, its tongue course and wet. ¡°Gah!¡± He stepped back, rubbing the slobber off with the back of his hand. ¡°I¡¯ll take that as a yes?¡± The wolf barked and sat up, the rabbit entirely gone. ¡°Well, c¡¯mon then,¡± Darian waved the wolf forward and it followed him. ¡°Zan is your name, right?¡± The wolf barked again. ¡°Well Zan, stay close to me and I¡¯ll feed you what¡¯s left when I¡¯m done. Just no going back on our deal, okay?¡± The wolf bounced along beside him, a happy trot to his steps. *** By the time Darian returned, he and the wolf had helped themselves to several small animals in the forest. Feeding on a few new creatures had brought Darian¡¯s race XP up to (24/40). He still had no idea what a race level was, but he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling it was going to be important. As he approached the cave, Darian looked over to the wolf and smiled. Turns out having a giant killing machine with a good nose is helpful. More than once, Zan chased out a rabbit only for Darian to snare it with his racial skill. All in all, Zan made hunting for blood take half the time. And the wolf was satisfied too, his belly full of Darian¡¯s leftovers. The pair entered the cave silently, Carver softly snoring along the wall. Darian eased onto his pillow, Zan nestling himself between him and Carver. He thought about the quest he¡¯d received a few hours ago and brought it back up.
Quest: Companionship Objective: Form a party of three
How do I form a party? He looked over at Zan who¡¯d already passed out, his bushy dark fur rising and falling with each breath. Wonder if he counts toward the total? Darian tried to relax but couldn¡¯t help but feel strange with Carver so close. While he wouldn¡¯t consider himself socially awkward, having been so far removed from others for so many years made Carver¡¯s proximity send a tingle of anxiety down Darian¡¯s spine. But he smothered the feeling, his thoughts turning to darker matters. Carn. While the relationship between him and Carver wasn¡¯t entirely clear, Darian could tell Carver looked up to the man. And I know he¡¯s dead, but I haven¡¯t said anything. He¡¯d been asking himself why he hadn¡¯t spoken up, but so far he hadn¡¯t found a good answer. Telling Carver he found a body would be easy and wouldn¡¯t bring on any suspicion, but he just couldn¡¯t do it. Tomorrow night when he wants to go searching, I¡¯ll lead him back to where I found him. The body would most likely be gone by now, but maybe Carver would find something that let him know Carn was dead. But what about his daughter? She¡¯d seen Darian before he sped into the night. If she was still alive, what would she say? And these Justicars. I¡¯m sure they''ll realize I¡¯m not an elf. There was also that massive four-legged monster that had been eating Carn. He couldn¡¯t be sure, but Darian had a gut feeling it was even stronger than the Bone Knight. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Darian put his hands over his face and groaned. It seemed no matter what he did, there were no good options. I guess I¡¯ll help Carver search for now. He rolled over, his thoughts growing cloudier. I feel like things are about to get nasty, no matter what I do. Then his thought turned to the robed skeleton at the cabin and the Bone Knight. He clenched his fists. I¡¯m tired of running. He¡¯d already told himself he had to become stronger, but now his life was in danger once again. No matter what happens from here, I will become powerful. I have to. *** Gershank watched from the other side of the pond, his jaw aching. Having his fellow Wargs kill that damned Bone Knight had been almost too much trouble, but he couldn¡¯t have it report back to their master. This neck of the woods was his to watch, and she''d know the intruders were here if that Bone Knight made it back. That¡¯s why they tore it apart and he ate what was left. Now that the pale man had help, it would only be a matter of time until he started ruining the master¡¯s preparations. Then she¡¯d get desperate and send more of her forces out from the crypt. And when Valmier and Adenion are gone, well¡­Gershank licked his lips. His unique skill [Perfect Concealment] had kept the pale man from noticing him so far, but that damned wolf would make things complicated. And it was too strong for him to kill in a single blow. It was a nuisance, but he would just have to keep his distance for now. But the time of action was almost upon them. Soon that damned necromancer''s army would be done, and then she would march on the village. Then the city of Ulsfe and all of Lonelen would come after. She was a few crumbs short of a biscuit, but she was powerful. But the constant talk of ¡°Divine Ascension¡± this and ¡°God of the Grave¡± that was making him sick. She needed to be dealt with. He scratched at his neck. Even though it was invisible, he could still feel the cursed collar wrapped around his throat. But she¡¯ll be joining the dead soon enough, and I¡¯ll be free. I just need the pale man and the other three survivors to provide me a little distraction. Gershank laughed. Things were about to get very interesting. *** Darian shot up, his heart racing. It was the same nightmare again. Why do I keep seeing this? Each time he had it, the lake of blood grew larger and larger, his thirst growing. He shook his head and stood, eager to feel some fresh air. The outside was the coldest it had been since his arrival. The wind was low and ice chilled, the trees groaning. A white fog settled over the pond, and for the first time Darian shivered. ¡°Careful friend,¡± Carver said from behind, Zan beside him. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be out when dressed so lightly. Not during a night like this.¡± ¡°I have cold resistance,¡± Darian replied. ¡°Still, better to be safe.¡± Carver took off his coat and handed it to Darian, who took it reluctantly. He thought about telling him he was immune to sickness, but he was starting to feel the cold. ¡°Thanks,¡± he said, wrapping the fur coat around his shoulders. It smelt of woodsmoke and pine, the interior surprisingly soft. ¡°Did you find anything during the day?¡± ¡°I confess I did little searching.¡± Carver walked to the pond and knelt, filling a waterskin he produced from his satchel. ¡°I¡¯ve had little sleep the last few nights and took the opportunity to rest. But I did find some tracks.¡± ¡°Tracks?¡± Darian asked, pulling the coat tighter around himself. ¡°Yes.¡± Carver stood and pointed at the other side of the pond. ¡°Too big to be a wolf but too small to be from a dire bear. They most likely belong to a Warg.¡± Zan released a low growl, snarling at the name. ¡°Before the undead swarmed this forest, it was the Wargs who ruled here.¡± ¡°Are they dangerous?¡± ¡°Yes, but not only because of their strength.¡± Carver adjusted the quiver on his back, Darian noting the archer only had five arrows left. ¡°They are cunning, and some are capable of speech.¡± He turned and regarded Darian with a stern eye. ¡°Never trust them, my friend. Never.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± Darian replied, stretching, loosening his limbs. ¡°Any idea where we should start searching for your missing friends?¡± Carver looked about at the fog and scratching branches, his face slowly forming into a grimace. ¡°In other circumstances, I¡¯d say we should stay indoors during such weather, but winter will come either way. And we must find the others before the first snow falls or the path back to the village will become too perilous.¡± ¡°I think I know a place to start looking,¡± Darian said nodding toward the northeast. ¡°I heard a lot of strange noises from over that way when I first woke up here. Might have been from those Justicars of yours.¡± Lying still twisted Darian¡¯s stomach into knots, but at least Carver might find closure there. ¡°Then that is where we shall begin. Lead the way, friend.¡± Carver gave Zan a pat on the head, the wolf¡¯s tail wagging. Darian walked into the forest, an extreme feeling of dread washing over him. He didn¡¯t know why, but he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling something terrible was about to happen. Chapter 15 - Hunger The woods grew dark around them as they made their way north and then west. Cold wind blew down the mountain as they went, the branches above scratching and writhing like living things. Darian led the way, Carver some distance behind them as was agreed. If they ran across trouble, they would attempt first to flee. But if they had to fight, Darian would play the frontline while Zan and Carver would try and circle for openings. Since Carver only had five arrows left, they decided he should save them for particularly dire situations. If only the archer could take aim at the weather. The ground was hard packed, frozen in places with pitfalls just under the leaves. Darian had to choose his steps carefully as he led them across a shallow stream and then up a short bank. He was doing his best to move silently, but his steps were often accompanied by the crunch of frost or the snap of a broken stick. Cursing, they topped a hill that wasn¡¯t far from their destination. Darian hesitated, a frightful urge to turn back tugging at his heels. Despite how it defied logic, he kept thinking the body would still be there, fresh blood oozing onto the cold ground. He managed to tear himself away once, but he doubted he could do so again. Even imagining it sent a grumble through his guts. But he shook his head when heard Carver adjust his quiver behind him. This was for Carver, so he could know his friend was gone. If it¡¯s for someone else, I can do this. The forest ahead was dead quiet, an edge to the darkness. Both Darian and Carver kept their eyes to the shadows, the thick clouds overhead shrouding the forest in dappled starlight. Something shifted in the canopy, knocking an errant twig to the ground. They froze, weapons ready. Since Darian¡¯s sword had been broken by the Bone Knight, he had to rely on his dagger. When it was clear nothing would be leaping from the darkness, the trio pressed on. The clearing was much like Darian remembered it. Ringed by tall trees that blocked out the wind, the grass short cropped and bright. But there was no body at its center now, only a patch of red grass and chips of bone. Zan was the first to approach the crimson stain, his ears pulled back, a whimper escaping him. ¡°Zan?¡± Carver asked, a gentle hand on the wolf¡¯s back. Darian watched them from the clearing¡¯s edge, his chest throbbing. Why couldn¡¯t I just tell him Carn was dead? He wanted to pretend he never happened on the body, like it was all a bad dream. Telling someone about it made it real. But standing there staring at the tinted grass sent shards of glass to his heart. Then the howl came. It was high pitched and keening, mournful as it spread amidst the trees. Carver slumped as Zan continued to howl, his head turned to the darkening sky. Darian was frozen watching the pair, their sadness reminding him of the last time he saw his parents. This new world was no game. It was real, with real people and consequences. That stain on the grass could have just as easily been him. Zan¡¯s howl ceased and the wolf nestled itself beside Carver, his tongue licking at the archer¡¯s gloved hand. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have left you,¡± Carver said, fingers pressed to the ground. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have run.¡± Darian came to the archer¡¯s side and looked around. Where is his daughter? There were no other bloodstains, no signs of battle either. She could still be alive. ¡°His daughter isn¡¯t here. She could still be out here somewhere.¡± Carver shrugged. ¡°How do we know this isn¡¯t her too?¡± He nodded down at the bloodstain. But Zan perked up and set himself to sniffing. The big wolf crawled across the ground, nose pressed to the grass. He stopped a few paces away, sneezed, then stood tall and barked. ¡°I think he¡¯s found something,¡± Darian said, a reassuring hand on Carver¡¯s shoulder. The archer stood, his face pale. ¡°We follow him, but not too far. We¡¯re already some distance from shelter.¡± Darian nodded his agreement and they followed Zan down the slope, their boots sliding on the frosted dirt. At the bottom, the ground evened out and the trees grew thinner. Before long they entered an area swallowed by pale fog, the wind silent. Shapes appeared in the haze, square and jutting. ¡°Ruins of some kind,¡± Carver said, his bow out. ¡°Be careful.¡± Zan stopped at the doorway to some large structure. The old stone was weather beaten and covered in moss, the wooden roof above slanted, long ago falling into the darkness within. The door was still half standing, held to the wall by thick iron rings. Zan clawed at it, the scraping sound grating in the silence. ¡°I¡¯ll go in first,¡± Darian said approaching the door. ¡°If you need help fall back. I¡¯ll shoot whatever comes out.¡± Carver dropped to one knee, an arrow pulled halfway back. If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Zan moved to let Darian through. The door was ice cold, Darian¡¯s frost resistance offering little protection. Why is this thing so damned cold? He pressed on it, but it wouldn¡¯t budge. ¡°It¡¯s locked,¡± he said, glancing about. ¡°I¡¯m going in through the roof.¡± ¡°Be careful,¡± Carver said. ¡°I mean it.¡± Finding purchase on the rocky wall was relatively easy, but the wind picked back up, whipping Darian with its icy fingers. He gripped a stone, the mortar giving way. It crashed to the ground and burst apart, the sound echoing all around. Then a strange chittering came from the fog, low and sparse at first but growing. Carver turned his ear at it, Zan growling. ¡°Wargs!¡± Carver spun, his arrow turning red. ¡°Get inside and get that door open!¡± Darian¡¯s muscles strained as he climbed, his fingers slick. When he reached the top rim of the wall an explosion rang out behind him, but he had no time to look. He vaulted over the wall and came into the room below through a large hole in the ceiling. His boots crunched into the hardwood, his steps thundering as he ran for the door. ¡°Get in!¡± he cried as he undid the metal latch. Outside, dark shapes moved in the fog, hunched and on four legs. But behind them loomed something far greater, a massive beast that towered above the rest. ¡°Close it! Close it!¡± Carver ran opposite the door, another arrow nocked in a flash. Darian slammed it shut, but the beasts outside were not advancing. They¡¯re surrounding us. He backed away from the door, dagger held deathly tight in his hand. Zan barked from the far corner, another door in front of him. ¡°What is it?¡± Carver asked. ¡°I can¡¯t see a thing.¡± Darian approached the wolf. He was bouncing up and down, his tail wagging. With a light push the door opened and a shard of ice sprang forth, just barely missing Darian¡¯s cheek. ¡°Get back!¡± A small, frightened voice said before another shard of ice came from the darkness beyond. Zan didn¡¯t seem to mind the request or the attack, for he charged into the room. Darian followed, surprised to find the wolf on his belly, his tongue whipping out at a young girl¡¯s face. ¡°Zan?¡± She croaked, her lips pale and thin. She was huddled in the corner, a bow and two quivers beside her. She wore fur and leather like Carver, but it was torn here and there to show bandages beneath. Her hair was a bright, fiery red, tied into a thick braid that hung over her shoulder. Her green eyes met Darian¡¯s, a haunting look of recognition passing over her face. ¡°Fria!¡± Carver came crashing through the doorway. He fell to one knee beside the girl, scooping her hand up in both of his. ¡°Your arm¡­¡± Her arm was limp by her side, only the hand showing beneath her sleeve. But it was purple and lifeless, hanging there like a strip of meat. Meat. Darian could smell her blood. It filled the air with honey, and he found himself walking toward her, his mouth slowly opening.
Quest Added: The Hunger Objective: Consume human blood.
The notification knocked Darian back to his senses. He backed away, nose still full of that sweet coppery scent. ¡°What happened to you?¡± Carver asked. Fria pulled her hand away. ¡°You know what happened to us, you coward.¡± Tears streamed down her cheeks. ¡°I told Father you weren¡¯t ready, but he wouldn¡¯t listen. And now he¡¯s¡­and now he¡¯s¡­¡± Carver slumped back, his bow clattering to the floor beside him. ¡°I know, Fria.¡± He cradled his head in his hands. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry.¡± There was a crash on the door, then a voice like the grating of two stones pierced the air. ¡°G¡¯day my little fleshy friends,¡± the voice said. ¡°Mind if I speak for a moment? I doubt you¡¯ve got better to do.¡± Darian looked at Carver, but his head was down, Fria still in some kind of shock beside him. Guess it¡¯s up to me. He walked back to the front door, Zan padding along behind him. ¡°Ah, hello friend.¡± The creature beyond the door sniffed. ¡°My pale compatriot, just the person I wanted to speak to.¡± ¡°Who are you?¡± ¡°My name is Gershank, and I¡¯m a friend. Now, why don¡¯t you open this door so we can speak face to maw?¡± Zan growled, his claws digging into the floor. ¡°Think I¡¯ll pass on that, if it¡¯s okay with you.¡± ¡°You wound me, little one. But I understand. Speaking to monsters is not for everyone. Though you¡¯re a bit of a monster yourself.¡± Darian froze. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± The creature laughed. ¡°You and I both know you¡¯re no elf. Not human either.¡± It sniffed again. ¡°The stench of undeath surrounds you, yet your heart beats. I can hear it thumping faster and faster.¡± How does it know all that? ¡°What¡­what do you want.¡± ¡°A favor.¡± Its voice grew deeper, dripping with malice. ¡°But we talk outside. Leave the others behind. You have my word they will not be harmed. Well, so long as you do what I say.¡± Darian teetered in place, unsure of what to do. But the longer he stayed, the more his mind wandered to the girl¡¯s wounds. Reluctantly, he undid the lock on the door. ¡°Stay here, Zan.¡± Darian commanded, the wolf backing away with a whimper. The door clattered open, and with one final look over his shoulder, Darian strode into the darkness. Chapter 16 - Enemy of the Grave God The fog outside had grown thicker. Despite his enhanced vision, Darian could hardly see a few paces in front of himself. What he could see was the massive beast that waited ahead. As he got closer, he realized this wasn¡¯t the first time he¡¯d seen it. ¡°You killed Carn.¡± He said looking up into the creature¡¯s dark furred face. ¡°Carn?¡± it said, turning its head to the side. ¡°Ah, the ranger. That was the second meal of mine you spoiled.¡± Second? ¡°You¡¯re a monster.¡± ¡°He shot me in the rump,¡± the huge creature turned to reveal a small wound in its backside. ¡°Only fair I eat him after that.¡± Darian stared into the monster¡¯s unblinking eyes. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. Killing people like that isn¡¯t right.¡± It reared back and its mouth opened. Darian prepared to bolt away from an attack, but the creature just laughed. The sound grated against Darian¡¯s ears, the noise like two massive stones grinding together. ¡°The innocence with this one,¡± the beast said, wiping its face with the back of his paw. ¡°But if you ever make it out of this forest, you¡¯ll learn. Things like us have to kill. Not our fault humans and the like are always trying to do the same to us.¡± It stepped closer, its sour breath hot against Darian¡¯s face. ¡°And I¡¯ve been watching you, pale one. I¡¯ve seen the hunger in your eyes.¡± It sniffed, something like a grin forming on its hideous, scarred face. ¡°That girl in there, she still lives, yes? Her wounds must smell wonderful.¡± Darian backed away. ¡°Stop it!¡± But his fangs had already started to come out, his body yearning to bleed her dry. ¡°I don¡¯t know where you came from before you ended up here, but you can¡¯t fight what you are. None of us can.¡± The beast leaned back on its hind legs, shadow stretching across the frost tipped grass. ¡°And what you are is the only reason I haven¡¯t killed you yet.¡± Darian¡¯s heart raced. I¡¯m not a monster. But he couldn¡¯t deny his hunger. It gnawed at him, threatening to consume his mind. Something about the girl¡¯s blood in particular called out to him, and he somehow knew drinking it would give him a special power. But he fought his urges, his body tensing. I have to learn to control myself. He clenched his fists and tried willing the thoughts of blood to cease, but they wouldn¡¯t go away. It was like the harder he tried to resist, the more his thirst increased. ¡°Do you know what I am?¡± Darian asked, desperate to distract himself. ¡°Not an elf.¡± The beast laughed again. ¡°But no, I¡¯ve never seen your kind before. And I¡¯ve traveled all of southern Lonelen and even a bit of Vizzera. But I know you¡¯re not from here. I can smell it on you. The masters got the same scent. That hint of a place beyond this world.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± The beast smiled, his rows of thick teeth yellowed and sharp. ¡°Maybe I¡¯ll tell you after you do me a few favors. That¡¯s a fair trade, yes?¡± Darian¡¯s body relaxed, his thoughts finally calming. ¡°What is it you want me to do?¡± ¡°Ah, finally getting to the important bits.¡± He barked, the sound so loud and sudden it nearly sent Darian stumbling back. A small Warg padded out from the fog, a bloodied satchel held in its mouth. It came to Darian and laid the object at his feet, speeding off into the darkness after the giant Warg barked again. ¡°What is this?¡± Darian asked. The satchel was bulky, something round pushing against it from within. ¡°Open it and find out.¡± Darian dropped to one knee, his hand hesitantly lifting the bloodstained flap.
Items Obtained [Equipment] Minor healing potion x4 Greater healing potion x2 Firebomb x5 Flashbomb x2
¡°What is all of this?¡± Darian asked, staring at the notification. ¡°Belonged to a Justicar. She¡­no longer needs it.¡± The beast nudged the satchel gently with his paw. ¡°These will help with that favor I need.¡± He looked off into the fog. ¡°My master is raising an army of undead, but she needs necromantic power to summon them forth. She¡¯s got three Nether Gates spread around this forest at old battle sites. Anything living gets too close and the portals will suck them dry of life force. But you? Well, you¡¯re dead enough I figure it won¡¯t kill you. Might weaken you, but not add you to her growing army of corpses.¡± Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. ¡°Why would I do this for you?¡± ¡°It¡¯s simple.¡± He snarled, snapping his jaws shut right in front of Darian¡¯s face. ¡°You don¡¯t and I kill you. And the necromancer is your enemy as well. She¡¯s got servants all over searching for you. Wants you for her little collection and she won¡¯t stop until she finds you. Better to help me off her before that happens.¡± ¡°But why do you need my help?¡± Darian could tell this creature was powerful. Far more powerful than the Bone Knight and even more intimidating than that dual wielding skeleton from the cabin. His instincts screamed at him to flee the longer he was in its presence, and it was only through stubborn pride that he didn¡¯t let his fear control him. ¡°She¡¯s cursed me,¡± he said, snarling. ¡°And she¡¯s powerful. An all-out attack would never work, especially when the crypt is still so full of her minions. But if you start causing her trouble, I can find an opening and finish her off for good.¡± Darian considered the creature¡¯s proposal. Not that I have much choice. But part of what it said was true. The Bone Knight had tried capturing him and that skeleton from the cabin was probably still looking for him. It would only be a matter of time until they found him. While it pained him to work with this monster, he figured it would be better than becoming some undead slave. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll help you.¡±
Quest Added: Enemy of the Grave God Objective: Destroy all three Nether Gates
Darian stared up at the quest notification, his eyes particularly drawn to the unique class. But he didn¡¯t have time to inspect it. ¡°Good,¡± the beast lifted a paw and placed it on Darian¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I promise not to eat you or your little friends as long as we remain allies.¡± ¡°Very reassuring,¡± Darian mumbled. ¡°Now, as to the location of the gates.¡± Gershank rested back on his haunches. ¡°You should be able to notice them as you enter their area of influence. The sky will be darker, harsher shadows and that sort of thing. I know where two are, but the third is in Valmier¡¯s territory.¡± ¡°Valmier?¡± Gershank snorted, the sound odd coming from such a massive creature. ¡°You¡¯re already acquainted.¡± ¡°That guy from the cabin?¡± Just thinking about him sent a hot jolt of anger through Darian¡¯s chest. ¡°The very same. He hates you, by the way. Keeps talking about how he¡¯s going to torture you. Rather grim fellow.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t say I¡¯m a fan of his either. But you know where the other two gates are?¡± ¡°I do. One¡¯s in the swamp to the south, the other in the ruined fort to the east. If you head north of that cabin, you¡¯ll be in Valmier¡¯s neck of the woods. Should find the third there.¡± The swamp. Darian shuddered when he remembered the Blood Bugs draining his life. ¡°And how do I destroy these gates?¡± ¡°Fire.¡± Gershank nodded down at the satchel. ¡°Get close and toss a firebomb or spell into the gate and it will crumble right quick. Just don¡¯t be standing too close when you do.¡± It sounded simple enough, but Darian knew it would be anything but. ¡°Any suggestions on which I should start with?¡± Gershank tilted his head to the right. ¡°The fort.¡± He looked Darian up and down. ¡°You need equipment. Armor and weapons. The fort has an armory in the basement that would serve you well. But you¡¯ll need someone to open the door for you.¡± He pointed with his nose at the foggy flatland to Darian¡¯s left. ¡°One of the Justicars still lives. He¡¯s a Paladin from what I could tell. Might be useful if you collect him before you head off to the fort.¡± Darian¡¯s shoulders sagged, his to-do list growing rather long. ¡°I will look for him after I help Carver and Fria.¡± ¡°Best to leave them behind, but I¡¯ll leave that decision up to you.¡± He sniffed the air, his eyes narrowing. ¡°Your cave is in my territory, but I can¡¯t hide you in there forever. You¡¯ve got probably a week and some crumbs before they figure us out.¡± He growled. ¡°And I would leave this place quickly. Shamblers are on the way here for their nightly patrol. But before I go.¡± A horrible squelching came from the creature¡¯s guts, and he doubled over as he vomited. ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that. I couldn¡¯t swipe this from her any other way. I can¡¯t use it, but I¡¯ve got a feeling you might be able to.¡± The object Gershank threw up was blue and semi translucent, pulsing with power. As Darian reached down to touch it, it flew up to him, instantly being absorbed into his inventory.
Item Obtained: Greater XP Crystal
¡°Don¡¯t go expecting more help from me,¡± Gershank wiped his mouth with his front paw. ¡°This is all I can afford to do for you.¡± He sniffed the air again then lowered into a mock bow. ¡°Until next time.¡± Then he ran off, his fellow Wargs right behind him. As he left, the fog started rolling away, leaving Darian alone amidst a trio of crumbled buildings. He snatched up the satchel and threw it over his shoulder, the title of his newest quest nipping at him. The Grave God? But he could worry about it later. He pulled out one of the greater healing potions and set off for the door back to Carver and Fria. Hopefully this is enough to get her up and moving. But as his fingers touched the door, he was frozen. The smell. It was delicious. A haunting aroma that called to him. Never had blood smelled so sweet. His fangs emerged and he licked his lips, the doorway creaking open. No. He smacked himself, the sound echoing. Control yourself. Some of what Gershank said had been true, Darian couldn¡¯t help what he was. But he could control his actions. With renewed resolve and a healing potion in hand, Darian rushed to Fria¡¯s side. Chapter 17 - Temptation Fria was in the corner, Zan beside her. Carver stood at the door with an arrow ready, a deep-set frown on his face. He lowered his bow when he saw Darian coming, but he remained tense. ¡°What happened?¡± he asked, peeking around Darian. ¡°I was distracted and didn¡¯t notice you leave.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll explain when we¡¯re safe.¡± Darian brought the healing potion up so Carver could see it. ¡°Will this get her back on her feet?¡± He took the glass container in his hand and turned it this way and that. ¡°Where did you get this?¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter right now. Will it help?¡± Carver looked from the potion to Fria and back again. ¡°Enough to get her moving, but her body will have to do the rest.¡± He crouched down beside the girl, her eyelids fluttering. ¡°Drink this.¡± ¡°Not¡­from you.¡± Her voice was weak. Zan whimpered and licked her pale hand. Her eyes fully opened and she glanced about the room like she didn¡¯t know where she was. Eventually, she looked up at Darian, the same flash of recognition passing over her face. ¡°You,¡± she said. ¡°I¡¯ve seen you before.¡± ¡°She¡¯s delirious,¡± Carver said, forcing the potion up to her mouth. ¡°Please Fria, do this for your father if you must do it for someone.¡± The girl hesitated at first, but then she nodded and opened her mouth, eyes closed. As Carver poured the potion down her throat, her milky pale skin flushed red, life seeping back into her body. She coughed, her fingers twitching. ¡°Can you walk?¡± Darian asked, glancing back at the front door. ¡°The undead are on their way.¡± ¡°I think.¡± She pushed up to her feet, Carver¡¯s shoulder under her good arm. ¡°But I can¡¯t move swiftly.¡± ¡°I have more potions,¡± Darian opened the satchel, but Carver stopped him. ¡°Any more will do more harm than good,¡± he said. ¡°She can¡¯t handle another. It would be like giving her poison.¡± ¡°Then one will have to do.¡± Darian grit his teeth. He could still smell her blood. While the potion might have healed some of her wounds, the gash under her right sleeve made his mouth water. But he beat back his instincts and instead motioned for them to follow. ¡°What about the Wargs?¡± Carver asked, Fria grunting in pain beside him. ¡°They¡¯re gone,¡± Darian said stepping into the open air. ¡°But we must hurry.¡± He opened his map, hoping the menu would be invisible to the others. When they had no reaction to it, Darian inspected their location. We have to head pretty far south to reach the cave. He sniffed. We still have a while before sunrise, but we¡¯ll be cutting it close. ¡°Follow me.¡± Zan walked alongside Darian, the wolf¡¯s ears perked up and his nose twitching. He can probably sense the undead are closing in on us. Darian glanced back. Carver was doing his best to help Fria along, but the archer wasn¡¯t much bigger than her. He lacks the strength to help her the whole way. He froze, a jolt of fear shooting through him when he realized. I¡¯m going to have to carry her. ¡°Give her to me,¡± Darian said slipping his dagger into his belt. ¡°I¡¯ll carry her.¡± ¡°If you¡¯re sure,¡± Carver leaned down, Fria gritting her teeth. She was still looking at him like she wanted to say something, but both of them knew any discussion would have to wait. She was surprisingly light, but Darian had to be careful with her injured arm. She wrapped her good one around the back of Darian¡¯s neck, her throat right below his mouth. Looking down, he could see the pink flush of her cheek, the thrum of blood in her veins. But he took a step, then another, fighting his darkening thoughts. Think of something else. Anything. He began jogging, Fria squeezing him tighter. He thought first of the undead that were on their way, but it was wiped away by the meal in his arms. He shook his head, thoughts turning to Zan and Carver who ran along behind him. What would they think if they knew what he really was? But then his mind flashed to Carn, his body torn and oozing. Darian¡¯s fangs emerged, sliding free of his mouth as his pulse quickened. He leaned down ready to bite This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. But then he remembered his parents. How they worked hard and never complained, how they kept him fighting all the way until the end. He didn¡¯t have much in his past life, but he always had their support. He jumped over a log, the forest around him blurring as the memories came one after another. The nights they spent watching bad movies, the times his mother¡¯s warm smile lightened his heart, the times his father played games with him, never letting him win¡ªthey all swirled within him, and his fangs retracted. Thank you. ¡°Up ahead!¡± Carver called, Darian grinding to halt, nearly slipping on the grass. Atop a small hill stood five skeletons. Three had bows, their jerking arms already reaching for arrows. The other two had swords and bucklers, their rickety bones carrying them down the hill. We don¡¯t have time for this. But the archers would make it difficult to run. ¡°Stay here,¡± Darian said, dodging to the right. He laid Fria down behind an overturned tree while Carver returned fire. Zan jumped to the side, an arrow just missing him. Then he howled.
Buff Applied: Pack Leader''s Howl
Darian burst from cover and cast [Veil of Mist] using the enchanted chain around his neck. The thick wall of mist would make it harder for Carver to land a hit, but it would do the same for the three skeleton archers. He rushed forward and pulled his dagger free, casting [Veil of Mist] one more time. A notification appeared warning him that he was out of uses for the day, but he wouldn¡¯t need another. The first skeleton he saw swung at him with its blade, but Darian jumped back and cracked it across the head with an enhanced blow. Zan tackled it and Darian jumped over the wolf, ranged spells flying from his hand and into the mist. He rolled, an arrow thudding the ground behind him. The skeleton archer was readying another arrow when Darian tackled it. He grabbed it, one finger in its empty eye socket. A combination of [Shocking Grasp] and strikes killed it. Then he stood, ducking just as another arrow sped his way. He charged and smashed into the skeleton¡¯s chest with a [Determined Strike] and a [Flare] to the face. One more quick strike ended it, but then a sword came from his right. He backed away but something smashed into his shoulder, his left arm going numb. ¡°More from behind!¡± Carver called, the mist between them growing. ¡°Grab Fria and head this way!¡± Darian yelled as he blocked an overhead swing. He looked into the Skeleton¡¯s empty eyes, the green flame within swirling. ¡°Give me that sword.¡± He dropped his dagger as the monster came with another downward chop. He caught it by the wrist and twisted, the blade falling from the skeleton¡¯s grip. He cast [Shocking Grasp] and pushed it away, a blast of flame from his palm finishing it off. Snatching up the sword, he went for the final archer, but Zan was already there, the monster¡¯s head in his jaws. He looked at his arm and saw a black shafted arrow sticking from it. With a grunt, he tore it free. Carver came through the mist, Fria slumped against him. Darian handed his sword to Carver and took the girl back in his arms. Her blood still tempted him, but he was able to focus on the task at hand. ¡°Hurry!¡± He ran, Carver right on his heels. They crashed through the forest, Darian leading the way. ¡°Are they still behind us?¡± ¡°We¡¯ve probably gained enough distance,¡± Carver said. ¡°But we should still run a bit further.¡± And so they did. They ran and ran, the world blurring around them. Eventually, they reached the ring of trees that marked the pond. They slowed, Fria¡¯s cheeks wet with tears. It was clear the girl was still in incredible pain, but she hadn¡¯t uttered a single complaint during the journey. Darian brought her to the cave mouth and held her while Carver gathered Darian¡¯s pillow and the rug to form a makeshift cot for her. When he laid her down, she coughed, blood on her lips. ¡°Sit her up,¡± Carver commanded. Darian tore his eyes away from her and stepped back. Seeing the blood so close nearly sent him over the edge. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Carver asked, Darian not sure if he was talking to him or the girl. Darian walked toward the pond, a sudden realization hitting him. Why haven¡¯t I received a notification for enemies defeated? Then he heard snarling from the bushes. Three creatures emerged, hunched and on all fours. He thought they were wolves at first, but then he smelled the rot. The first was missing half its face, its yellowed skull covered in patches of decaying fur. Green fire burned in its one empty socket, the remaining eye milky white. The other two had bones showing here and there¡ªa rotted paw, a pair of ribs, a curved spine. They each growled, the sound coming from mouths that dripped with thick, greenish fluid. ¡°Here!¡± Carver called, hurling something through the air. Darian caught the sword and turned, Zan crouched by his side, ready to attack. He was about to charge into combat when the first ray of sunlight split the grass. Chapter 18 - Im a Vampire Over the mountains, the sun rose, the bright curve of it stabbing the land in shades of gold. With his heart threatening to leap from his chest, Darian turned to flee. But the undead wolves had other plans. They charged at him, the one on the far left falling to the ground as it and Zan tore into each other. The first to reach him bit down on his leg, its rotten teeth piercing deep. Darian hacked at it with his sword, but his fear of the sun consumed his mind. Another streak spread across the grass, the edge touching Darian¡¯s arm. The flesh on his arm burned away in the light, sizzling and swelling with blisters. He cried out in pain as he fell backwards, the undead monster still clamped to his leg. An arrow struck its head, but it bounced off the exposed bone. It was dragging him back, the sun dangerously close. But as he watched, the sun touching the monster writhed in solid shadow and its bite loosened. The sun is making them weaker. Finding a moment of clarity, Darian hacked at the beast with [Determined Strike] and then gripped its face delivering [Shocking Grasp] each time it came off cooldown. The two of them stayed like that, locked together until eventually the beast¡¯s HP ran out and it crumbled to dust. Zan had killed one, but he was bleeding from a deep wound on his neck. The third lay dead in the cave mouth, the place where its head used to be sizzling from arcane fire. We made it. But as he sprang to his feet, the sun fully emerged from the mountains. It covered his legs first, searing away his flesh. Luckily, Darian¡¯s fear won out over the pain, and he sprang to his feet, the cave mouth right ahead. As he advanced, the light touched his shoulder, then his back. But he ignored the burning and dove into the cave, rolling to the back just as the pain overwhelmed him. He reached to his satchel for a potion, but his fingers were covered in bleeding blisters, his fingers not listening to his commands. ¡°By Argus,¡± Carver said, crouching by Darian¡¯s side. ¡°Here.¡± He brought the greater healing potion up to Darian¡¯s mouth. The cool liquid within took some of the pain away, but his body still screamed in agony. ¡°Thank you,¡± he mumbled, watching as Zan collapsed outside. ¡°He¡¯s been poisoned,¡± Fria said, her back to the wall. Blood ran freely from her wounded arm, a bow resting in her lap. ¡°He needs help.¡± Darian tried to move but Zan was fully consumed by the sun now. And no matter how hard he tried, the light burned at his strength until his eye lids fell and all became darkness. ***
Enemies Defeated [Skeleton Lv. 1] [Skeleton Lv. 2] x2 [Flesh Hound Lv. 6] Class XP Gained: 27 Progress to Class Lv. 4 (61/75)
The notification stirred Darian awake. He groaned, his body stinging all over. Bandages wrapped around his arms and legs, Carver¡¯s fur coat and Darian¡¯s cloak laying by his feet. Zan was beside him, his neck wrapped in the same foul-smelling wrapping. Darian reached out to the wolf who jumped as he touched him. But then his tail began wagging and he gave Darian a lick across the cheek. ¡°Happy to see you¡¯re okay.¡± He spotted Fria laid out not far down from him. She was asleep, her soft breathing the only sound within the cave. ¡°Never thought this little hole in the ground would become so popular.¡± He rose, peering into the darkness outside. ¡°Where is Carver?¡± Darian and Zan limped their way outside, Zan taking a stop to refresh at the pond. He looked about but could see no signs of the young archer. He was about to call out when his stomach grumbled. But I¡¯m really in no mood to go hunting. Zan perked up at the sound and then trotted off into the forest. He returned not long after with a rabbit in his jaws. He laid the dead animal at Darian¡¯s feet and nudged it toward him with his nose. ¡°For me?¡± Darian said with a smile. He rubbed Zan between the ears, noting that his bandage had new stains down the middle. ¡°But don¡¯t hurt yourself for my sake. I¡¯ll be fine.¡± He snatched up the rabbit and squatted in the bushes. When he was done draining it, he tossed the leftovers to Zan, the wolf greedily devouring them. ¡°Where is Carver?¡± a soft voice said as Darian returned to the cave. Fria was sitting up, her bright red hair sitting like a mop atop her head. Her wounds had healed some, and her fresh bandages kept the smell of her blood muted. ¡°I don¡¯t know. He wasn¡¯t here when I got up.¡± Darian sat across from the girl, her eyes trained on him. They sat in silence for a while, Zan chewing on some bones outside. Then she leaned forward, her brows drawn down. ¡°What are you?¡± Something like a drop of ice ran down Darian¡¯s spine and he sat up, shoulders tensing. ¡°What do you mean?¡± She studied his features, her eyes drawn to his mouth. ¡°Carver said you¡¯re an elf suffering from a curse, but my father made many friends in his travels. He told me all about fey, dwarves, and elves. And you are none of those things.¡± She cocked an eyebrow. ¡°And I saw them.¡± Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. Darian''s heart thumped. ¡°Saw what?¡± ¡°Your fangs.¡± The world slowed. She saw them? Then he remembered when he carried her, how he leaned down ready to sink his fangs into her throat. He thought she was too delirious to remember, in too much pain to realize the danger she was in. Darian sat back, his whole body growing numb. ¡°So, what are you?¡± She asked again, but there was no malice in her voice. ¡°I don¡¯t know much about demons, but you¡¯re certainly not one of those since you¡¯ve already told a lie. And if you¡¯re some kind of undead, you¡¯re a rare one. I read all the books Father brought from the north, and not one mentioned something like you.¡± ¡°I¡¯m just a person,¡± Darian managed to get out. ¡°Same as everyone else.¡± ¡°One that burns in the sun? One who has fangs in his mouth?¡± She huffed as she leaned back. ¡°And I saw you there, in the forest over my father¡¯s body.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t do that to him.¡± Darian set his jaw, determined to defend himself. ¡°I know you didn¡¯t. But I saw that look in your eyes. Like a starving bear.¡± She brought her knees close to her chest, her hands cupping together for warmth. ¡°But you carried me all the way here, protected me when you had no reason to. And for that, I offer my thanks.¡± Darian¡¯s body relaxed, his mind calming. ¡°I only did what I felt was right.¡± She smiled, brushing hair away from her freckled cheeks. ¡°Still, I wouldn¡¯t be alive if it wasn¡¯t for you. But I¡¯m not as dense as Carver. Honestly, most people aren¡¯t. So, lying about whatever you are won¡¯t cut it from here on out.¡± She leaned forward, something frantic in her eyes. ¡°So I¡¯ll ask again, what are you?¡± Darian didn¡¯t know what to say. But he was already tired of lying and pretending, of sneaking away to find a meal. So he decided to tell the truth. ¡°I¡¯m a vampire.¡± Saying it lifted an immense weight from Darian¡¯s shoulders, and tension he¡¯d been carrying in his chest since his first night faded away. But Fria just stared at him. ¡°A what?¡± Guess she hasn¡¯t heard of one either. ¡°I¡¯m something like a half undead. I don¡¯t breathe and I need fresh blood to survive. The sun burns my skin, but I can see in the dark. I do have fangs, but no claws or anything.¡± ¡°Huh,¡± she said. ¡°Never heard of anyone like that. But your need to drink blood would probably get you labeled a monster by the Church of Argus.¡± ¡°A monster?¡± She nodded. ¡°The church is the real power in Lonelen. They decide what¡¯s a monster and what¡¯s not. Orcs, goblins, some types of fey. They¡¯re all deemed monsters by the church.¡± She shook her head. ¡°But I¡¯m not like them, don¡¯t worry. And while Carver can be a bit of an Argus fanatic, I doubt he would label you a monster.¡± ¡°But what happens if the church labels something a monster?¡± Darian asked, nervously fidgeting with his hands. ¡°Monsters are legal to hunt and exterminate.¡± Her words carried bitterness, but not for the monsters. ¡°Adventurers and Justicars would have a right to kill you, even if you ended up being harmless.¡± She glared into the distance, an old memory playing in her mind. ¡°My father had a friend who was half demon. But being half human didn¡¯t stop the Justicars from hanging him.¡± Darian let his eyes drift to the floor. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be, it¡¯s just the way things are around here.¡± She nudged him with her boot. ¡°But you probably won¡¯t be safe if you stay in Lonelen. I don¡¯t know where you¡¯re from, but you¡¯d have better luck in a place like Vizzera or the Fey Lands. I¡¯d feel bad if my savior ended up getting killed by some Justicars just because of what he eats.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± Darian said and meaning it. ¡°But I don¡¯t know where those places are.¡± She rested her head on the cave wall. ¡°If Father were still here, he¡¯d be more help.¡± She reached up and wiped away a tear. ¡°Sorry,¡± she said with a sniffle. ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Darian said. ¡°I can¡¯t imagine what you¡¯re going through.¡± ¡°But I have to be strong, at least until I get home.¡± She forced a weak smile. ¡°I¡¯m sure Carver will want to search for the others, but we¡¯ll need to be headed home before winter hits. The pass will freeze over if we take too long.¡± ¡°What about your mission here?¡± While part of Darian hated to admit it, he could use help destroying the Nether Gates. If they left, it would be up to him alone and he wasn¡¯t sure he was strong enough. ¡°Abandoned if the survivors are smart. Without Father to guide us, the Justicars will have no direction. They¡¯re used to cities of steel and stone, not roughing it in the forest.¡± She sighed. ¡°But they¡¯re fanatical in their devotion to the fallen God. If any of them live, I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll want to press on.¡± ¡°Fallen god?¡± She nodded. ¡°Argus, lord of the sun and all that. He died fighting the Demon God Axelon some years ago.¡± Darian hadn¡¯t been sure if the gods mentioned up to this point were real or more like concepts. While he believed in God in his old life, he wasn¡¯t exactly what some would could call religious. ¡°So the Gods here, they fight each other?¡± ¡°Sometimes,¡± She replied. ¡°There was a big battle that happened when I was real little. That¡¯s when Argus and Talmier died. Now the only God of humanity left is Ofnia, but I¡¯ve heard from Father¡¯s old adventuring buddies that no one¡¯s seen her in years.¡± Darian let the information tumble around in his head. ¡°But the church still has that much power?¡± ¡°Father said people need it to keep from panicking. I just think they¡¯re all a little soft in the head.¡± She glanced outside. ¡°But enough talking. We should start searching for Carver, provided the coward hasn¡¯t left us.¡± Darian wanted to ask her what she meant, but he decided to leave it for now. ¡°Stay here and rest, I¡¯ll go out and look for him.¡± He tapped next to is eye. ¡°Vampiric night vision.¡± God that came out way goofier than I intended. But she laughed. ¡°Fine, have it your way.¡± She relaxed, her legs stretched out. He stood there a moment looking at her. He could tell she was doing her best to hold it together, but she seemed on the edge of breaking into tears. But there wasn''t anything he could do to help, and so he walked into the night, pausing as he reached the pond. Now, where did he go? There was a bit of excitement in his steps. I¡¯m going to tell him the truth of what I am. He felt such a rush of relief when he told Fria, he almost couldn¡¯t wait to tell someone else. There was a rustling from the other end of the pond and Carver emerged. His face was sweat smeared, but he smiled when he saw Darian. ¡°I was just heading out to look for you,¡± Darian said with a wave. ¡°I have something I need to tell you.¡± But then the bushes behind Carver shifted and a man with a mace and shield emerged, the symbol of a golden sun on his metal breastplate. ¡°I found one,¡± Carver huffed. ¡°One of the Justicars has returned to us.¡± Chapter 19 - The Blood of Man The newcomer took a forward step, his cloak billowing in the breeze. He was short but broad shouldered, with a balding head that rested above a pair of bushy black eyebrows. His beard was streaked with grey, his eyes a similar color. ¡°This your¡­elf friend?¡± he said, voice deep and authoritative. ¡°He is,¡± Carver replied, still smiling. ¡°Darian, this is Jorg.¡± ¡°Hello,¡± Darian said, he and Jorg regarding each other. ¡°Nice to meet another friendly face,¡± Jorg said, an edge to his voice. ¡°Thought maybe all I would find out here was the undead.¡± ¡°None of those here,¡± Darian said. Now that he was a little closer, Darian got a better look at Jorg¡¯s gear. He was wearing a black pair of trousers that matched his black boots, shirt, and gloves. He wore chainmail that shone beneath a polished breastplate. But he curiously had a belt filled with knives at his hip, with three little green vials that Darian figured to be poison tucked into bandoleer around his chest. His right arm held a thick mace, the edge of which shone yellow. His other arm held a shield that radiated some kind of magic aura, bending the air around it. ¡°The cave is just over there,¡± Carver said, pointing. Jorg nodded and followed Carver and Darian to the cave. But he never quite took his eyes off Darian, regarding him with a suspicious glare even as he called out to Fria. ¡°The state of you,¡± Jorg said, kneeling down to Fria¡¯s side. ¡°But thank Argus you yet live.¡± ¡°Argus didn¡¯t save me, he did.¡± She lifted her wounded arm to point at Darian. ¡°And I¡¯m sure he was guided by Argus¡¯ benevolent hand.¡± He laid his mace and shield down, his palms coming to rest on Fria¡¯s arm. ¡°Through his grace do I channel my faith.¡± The air around Jorg and Fria began to glow, a bright golden light swallowing them. Then it faded, Fria¡¯s wounds healed. ¡°Thank you,¡± she said, a hint of bitterness on her tongue. ¡°And poor Zan, it appears you also need my services.¡± Jorg walked over to where Zan lay curled up. The wolf regarding the man warily but didn¡¯t react when he laid his hands on him. The same golden light filled the cave, the gash beneath the bandage on Zan¡¯s neck vanishing. Darian was thankful that he at least could no longer smell the sweet blood from their wounds. But he knew he was in danger. Fria just got done telling me about these people and one just happens to show up? Darian started feeling like maybe some divine entity liked playing pranks on him. But what do I do? It was instantly obvious Jorg knew Darian wasn¡¯t an elf. But he probably didn¡¯t know quite what he was, or else he would have attacked by now. Just keep your cool. He told himself that, but his instincts wouldn¡¯t allow him to relax so easily. ¡°I¡¯m sorry friend, but I¡¯m out of spells for the day,¡± Jorg said, looking Darian up and down. ¡°I¡¯ll be alright.¡± It was mostly true. His passive regeneration in combination with Carver¡¯s poultice bandage combo would see him recover within a day or two. ¡°Carver told me on the way here that you¡¯re cursed?¡± Jorg chuckled to himself. ¡°Not much I can do about that I¡¯m afraid.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve managed so far.¡± Darian¡¯s shoulders tensed, he and Jorg locking eyes. ¡°Perhaps Torin is still out there,¡± Carver cut in. ¡°His scrolls should do the trick.¡± ¡°Torin is dead. Same as Joseph and Yulia.¡± Jorg rested against the wall, his fingers picking at his gloves. ¡°Yulia got grabbed by the biggest damn Warg I¡¯ve ever seen. Killed her before anyone had a chance to intervene.¡± Darian glanced at the satchel in the corner, Gershank¡¯s words in his head. ¡°This belonged to a Justicar. She¡­ no longer needs it.¡± ¡°I tried healing Joseph, but the Flesh Hounds'' poison was too much,¡± Jorg said, continuing. ¡°And Torin went down in a hail of arrows, a Bone Knight finishing him off. All that¡¯s left of the force from Ulsfel is me.¡± He looked up, something like madness in his eyes. ¡°But I have not given up our holy mission. I will rest here for the night and then continue on my way.¡± ¡°On your way to what?¡± Fria asked, testing her healed arm. ¡°You only ever told Father what you lot were after.¡± ¡°We were sent to destroy objects of necromantic power,¡± Jorg said, an untrusting glance leveled at Darian. ¡°Three of them exist in this forest. They feed the foul necromancer¡¯s summoning magic. Until they¡¯re destroyed, she will continue to produce an army of undead.¡± Guess he¡¯s talking about the Nether Gates. ¡°Have you destroyed any so far?¡± Darian asked. ¡°No, but not for lack of trying. I¡¯ve been hounded by the undead for days and running on an empty stomach. Carn knew these woods and was to guide us to the old battle sites, but I¡¯ve been told he also sadly fell in battle.¡± Jorg looked to Fria. ¡°Your father was a good man. One of the finest rangers to ever serve the Emerald Branch. His loss will be felt by many.¡± Fria didn¡¯t say anything. She just nodded and grabbed her bow and one of the nearby quivers. ¡°Thank you for healing me, but I need to return to the village. Mother will be expecting us back soon. I need to tell her what happened.¡± ¡°Wait,¡± Carver said blocking the cave entrance. ¡°You want to leave now? In the middle of the night?¡± ¡°That would be foolish, Fria. The dead grow thicker by the day. You would not make it alone.¡± Jorg stood as he spoke, his armor rattling. Fria looked between the two of them and her eyes narrowed. ¡°A coward and a liar,¡± she said. ¡°Why should I trust either of you.¡± Darian expected the men to argue with her, but to his surprise they both just stood there. But they had a point. Even if she was healed, Darian doubted anyone could just walk through this forest alone and make it out in one piece. ¡°They¡¯re right. You shouldn¡¯t go alone.¡± ¡°Then go with me.¡± She stood, throwing a quiver over her shoulder. The question caught Darian off guard. ¡°I wish I could, but I can¡¯t.¡± I know that Warg has to be out there somewhere. If I try and run, he¡¯ll kill me. ¡°And why can¡¯t you?¡± Jorg asked. ¡°Where are you from? What brings you to these woods, especially at a time like this?¡± ¡°He can¡¯t remember,¡± Carver answered. ¡°He is cursed with memory loss.¡± ¡°Ah, my apologies. I¡¯d forgotten.¡± Jorg reached out his hand. ¡°Sorry for the questions. You get a bit paranoid in my line of work.¡± ¡°I understand,¡± Darian said, trying to ease the situation. He gripped Jorg¡¯s hand and gave it a firm shake. But then Jorg¡¯s eyes flashed green and a strange tingling enveloped Darian.
Warning: You are being targeted by a mind tampering skill. Skill ¨C [Memory Delve] Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. Chance to resist: 47%
Darian jerked his hand away so hard he fell backwards into the wall. ¡°You¡¯re a liar.¡± Jorg slammed into Darian, his forearm pressed under Darian¡¯s chin. ¡°Who are you really? Who do you work for?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Darian thrashed and kicked, but Jorg was too strong. ¡°Stop this!¡± Carver pulled on Jorg¡¯s shoulders, but the big man pushed him back easily. ¡°He¡¯s been lying to you, Carver. I didn¡¯t see much, but memory delve showed me enough to know.¡± He pressed into Darian¡¯s throat harder. ¡°He¡¯s not an enemy,¡± Carver said coming to Darian¡¯s side. ¡°He¡¯s a friend. Saved mine and Fria¡¯s life. Bled along beside us.¡± Jorg¡¯s free hand pressed into Darian¡¯s forehead, his palm pulsing with divine energy. ¡°Don¡¯t like that do you, you beast,¡± he spat. ¡°Now I¡¯ll ask one more time before I incinerate you. Why are you here and who do you work for?¡± A growling enveloped the cave as Zan approached, fangs barred. ¡°Fria control your wolf,¡± Jorg barked. Fria shook her head, slipping an arrow free of her quiver. ¡°He¡¯s not mine.¡± ¡°Fine then,¡± Jorg said, his palm pushing harder against Darian¡¯s face. Darian pushed and kicked, but Jorg¡¯s strength was far superior to his. He tried casting [Shocking Grasp] but his hands were being crushed into his own chest by Jorg¡¯s bulk. Then his face started to slowly burn, divine energy swirling from Jorg¡¯s hand. With no other option and the fear of destruction coursing through him, Darian did the only thing he could do. He bit down on Jorg¡¯s arm, his fangs sinking deeply into the man¡¯s flesh. Jorg cried out and stepped back, but Darian kept his mouth latched on. Warm, beautiful blood filled his mouth, the taste more powerful than anything Darian had ever imagined.
Quest Completed: The Hunger Objective: Consume human blood.
[Race Lv.2 Reached] Unique skills unlocked Skill Evolutions Traits gained & Altered
Quest Completed: Rise of the Vampire Objective: Reach Race Level (2)
Blood consumed: Human Paladin (Lv.7)
Jorg kicked and Darian rolled away, but he came back with a punch to Jorg¡¯s gut that doubled him over. They grappled, Jorg still stronger but not nearly as much. ¡°Monster!¡± Jorg cried, a sudden burst of force throwing Darian back. Jorg rushed to his mace and shield, equipping them with an expert¡¯s speed. The mace lit up, the ball of steel glowing in holy light. Just looking at it told Darian even a single blow from it could be fatal. But as Jorg went to attack, someone stepped between them. ¡°Not. Another. Step.¡± Fria had an arrow drawn back, the shaft bursting in multicolored light. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t dare.¡± Jorg raised his shield and the air around him shifted and blurred. ¡°I know this won¡¯t be enough to kill you, but it will do enough for him to finish the job.¡± She nodded at Zan who crouched beside her, snarling, poised to strike. ¡°What is it you plan on doing? Running off with that monster?¡± Jorg sneered. ¡°He¡¯s not a monster,¡± Fria said, drawing the arrow back tighter. ¡°You forced his hand.¡± ¡°Tell yourself that all you like, but that beast will kill you once it has the chance. Please Fria, put down your bow.¡± Jorg took a single step, falling back after Zan snapped his jaws at him. Watching this, Darian¡¯s mind finally cleared. What have I done. He wanted to apologize, to make this right somehow. But Fria was correct, Jorg forced this on him. He had no other choice. ¡°Put it down,¡± Carver appeared behind Jorg, an arrow drawn. Darian smiled at another friend coming to his aid. But then he realized. He¡¯s not aiming at Jorg. ¡°I said put it down!¡± Carver¡¯s eyes were wet and wild, his face consumed by rage one second and despair the next. ¡°Or by Argus I¡¯ll put an arrow in your eye.¡± ¡°Here¡¯s how this is going to work,¡± Fria replied. ¡°We¡¯re going to back away into those woods while you stay right there.¡± ¡°And why would we let that monster go? I saw into his memories. He¡¯s working for them. Spoke and made deals with that massive Warg only yesterday.¡± Fria¡¯s shoulders slumped for a second, but then she regained her composer. ¡°Perhaps he did, but I know that man is no threat to me. So, what will it be?¡± ¡°We can¡¯t let them leave,¡± Carver said. ¡°It¡¯s three against one. You¡¯ll lose.¡± Fria replied, her voice measured. The two groups stood staring at each other a while, a cold wind whistling between the trees. But then Jorg lowered his shield and smiled. ¡°Fine then, run along with the monster. But when he turns on you, remember it was I that warned you.¡± ¡°But we¡ª¡± Jorg silenced Carver with a stern glare. ¡°Carver,¡± Darian said, desperate to explain himself. But Carver backed away, doubt creasing his face. ¡°Just go.¡± Carver said. ¡°And pray we do not cross paths again.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t be serious,¡± Darian argued. ¡°You¡¯re going to believe this nut job?¡± ¡°He¡¯s not the one with blood running down his chin,¡± Carver replied. Darian reached up and touched his face. The blood there was still slick, and he had to fight the urge to lick his lips. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Fria said, backing away. ¡°We need to find you a place to rest before the sun comes up.¡± Darian went to argue, but he could see the situation was hopeless. He and Fria backed into the forest, Zan beside them. ¡°I will remember this, monster,¡± Jorg called as he faded from view. ¡°You¡¯ve made an enemy of the Justicars this day.¡± Darian grit his teeth, remembering Gershank¡¯s words. ¡°Things like us have to kill. Not our fault humans and the like are always trying to do the same to us.¡± He licked his lips, Jorg¡¯s blood wetting his tongue. ¡°You can¡¯t fight what you are. None of us can.¡± A cold pit formed in Darian¡¯s gut. Maybe Gershank was right. Chapter 20 - First Party Member Darian led Fria north, Zan trailing along behind them. His new perception allowed him to see further and hear even better. It was like he¡¯d been gifted a sharper pair of ears and eyes, ones that could pick out a nesting bird in the canopy or hear the tussle of leaves far behind. And he could feel the power in his limbs, his body bursting with new power. His footfalls were also softer, more precise. He still wasn¡¯t nearly as silent as Fria, but the gap between them had closed significantly. Part of him still felt disgusted at what he¡¯d done, but a larger part didn¡¯t care. He was stronger now and not just physically. Darian brought up his host of new unique skills as he walked.
Vampiric Charm This skill allows the user to subtly manipulate the opinions of others. Those under its effects will have an increased disposition to the caster and be more likely to listen to them. Eye contact must be made in order to activate this skill. The skill can be active up to (30) minutes and cannot be used on the same target more than once per day. Evolved Skill: Skill will evolve into [Vampiric Seduction] once the user has reached race level (4).
Life Leech This skill drains the target of 6% of their maximum HP and gives it to the caster. HP drain becomes 8% if the target is under the effect of [Bleed], and 10% if the target is both bleeding and stunned. Skill cannot be used against nonliving creatures such as the undead or constructs. This skill can be used six times per day and has a cooldown of (10) seconds. Evolved Skill: Skill will evolve into [Life Drain] once user has reached race level (3).
Swarm This skill materializes small bats from the shadows that attack the target, inflicting [Bleed]. There must be shadows near the target for the skill to activate. This skill can be used five times per day plus the users current Race Level (Current total: 7). This skill has no cooldown. Evolved Skill: Skill will evolve into [Biting Swarm] once user had reached race level (3)
Blood Shield This skill uses the enemies¡¯ blood to create a telekinetic shield. The size and strength of the shield will depend on the level and powers of the target enemy (note that only blood already outside the enemy¡¯s body may be used). The more blood used for the shield, the more powerful it becomes. The shield will hover by the user but must not move more than (10) feet from the user. This skill lasts for (10) minutes and can be used five times per day plus the users current Race Level (Current total: 7). This skill has no cooldown. Evolved Skill: Skill will evolve into [Blood Aegis] once user had reached race level (4)
Minor Transformation The user may temporarily take on the aspect of a wolf or bat, transforming a small part of their body to gain new skills and abilities. These can include but are not limited to: larger fangs, claws, echolocation, enhanced smell, and the ability to howl. Any body part that is transformed can only maintain its new form for (3) minutes before reverting. This skill can be used an infinite number of times per day. Evolved Skill: Skill will evolve into [Major Transformation] Once the user has reached race level (4).
Dominate Animal The user can dominate the mind of any animal that is half their total level or lower (Current total:4). This domination lasts for (1) hour but there is no limit to the number of animals that can be dominated at one time. The user must wait 24 hours before dominating the same animal.
It was going to be a lot to remember, but he figured he could get the hang of his new skills eventually. But there was one major problem with his new abilities. They¡¯re not very good for fighting the undead. [Blood Shield] and [Swarm] excited him, but he¡¯d mostly been fighting skeletons up to this point. And if these were the powers he received from leveling his race, then it wasn¡¯t far fetched to assume new skills would also involve blood. But that transformation ability could still come in handy. ¡°I think I see it,¡± Fria cut in, tearing Darian from his thoughts. The ruined temple loomed ahead, the rats Darian killed out front long picked clean by scavengers. He didn¡¯t particularly like the location, but it was the only place he knew besides the cabin he could rest when the sun came up. They made their way inside, Zan curling up by Darian as he plopped into one of the dusty pews. The rest of the place was as he remembered it, but his enhanced Perception certainly didn¡¯t make it smell any better. ¡°An old temple to Ofnia,¡± Fria said, sitting in one of the pews opposite Darian. ¡°Surprised to find a temple to her out here, even an abandoned one.¡± ¡°Not as popular as Argus, I take it?¡± Fria snorted. ¡°Being a goddess of healing isn¡¯t as popular in a nation always at war. People often forget that it¡¯s only by the grace of healers they¡¯re able to fight as hard as they do.¡± There was a softness in her voice as she spoke. ¡°My mother,¡± she went on. ¡°She used to be a cleric of Ofnia, before she and father met.¡± ¡°So, she was a healer?¡± Darian asked, receiving a swift nod in response. ¡°He was a member of the Emerald Branch at the time.¡± She smiled as she noticed Darian¡¯s confusion. ¡°The Branch is like a state sponsored group of rangers and huntsmen. But Mother and Father became adventures once the war started getting uglier.¡± Her face hardened. ¡°That was when Mother lost her leg.¡± ¡°Oh,¡± Darian mumbled. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°It was the Justicars fault. She was in a goblin village out east when they showed up with orders to exterminate. They told father they didn¡¯t mean to hit her with their spells, but he knew it was a lie.¡± Darian slowly nodded. So she¡¯s not just helping me out of kindness or a need to pay me back for saving her. She¡¯s got her own reasons to hate the Justicars. ¡°I can see why you were so standoffish with Jorg.¡± ¡°They also promised to protect my father,¡± she said. ¡°He didn¡¯t want to hire Justicars to help, but the village elders made the choice, not him. And now he¡¯s dead, and I¡¯m left out here alone.¡± ¡°But you still have your mother,¡± Darian said, leaning a little closer. ¡°And what, do I not count?¡± He smiled, doing his best to have a hopeful outlook despite the pressure building in his chest. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Fria smirked. ¡°Left alone in the sense that neither of us knows exactly where we are. Only Father knew these woods. It will be a hard time finding a path back to the village.¡± ¡°So you¡¯re still leaving?¡± ¡°Of course I am, and you should come with me. Or what, you got some other reason to stick around here?¡± ¡°Well¡­actually.¡± She looked at him, her green eyes locking with his. I¡¯m tired of lying, of keeping secrets. And so he told her everything. His death and rebirth, his talk with Gershank. She just sat and listened to him, occasionally fiddling with the string of her bow. Once Darian finished, he leaned back, utterly spent. ¡°Most of what you said sounds like nonsense,¡± she said, giving Zan a pat on the head. ¡°But I believe you.¡± ¡°You do?¡± Darian expected her to be more skeptical, but her face was dead serious. ¡°My brother, the absolute fool that he is, served under Ofnia as a Justicar before she disappeared a few years ago. He said she¡¯d talk about this¡­other place sometimes, of some kind of world she lived in before coming here. Sounded a lot like what you described.¡± Darian¡¯s mouth hung open. Up to this point he hadn¡¯t fully considered that other people like him could be out there. ¡°And where is your brother now? Is he in the village? Can I speak to him?¡± She bit at the bottom of her lip, her face growing dark. ¡°He¡¯s been gone a long time. About two or so years now, I think. Left on some pointless Justicar quest he wouldn¡¯t give me the details about.¡± ¡°What¡¯s his name?¡± Darian asked, hopeful to someday find him. ¡°Radrick,¡± she said with a mixture of bitterness and love. ¡°Radrick Von Rostcliff.¡± Something about the name tugged at Darian¡¯s mind, but he couldn¡¯t figure out why. ¡°Von Rostcliff? Sounds fancy.¡± Fria cringed. ¡°Well, he, well me too¡­we¡¯re sort of nobility.¡± ¡°Nobility?¡± Darian cocked an eyebrow at that. ¡°And I¡¯ve been addressing you so casually.¡± He laughed. ¡°Is there a certain title I should use?¡± ¡°Please by the Gods don¡¯t start calling me m¡¯lady.¡± She groaned. ¡°Father did all he could to separate us from his family, but then my stupid brother had to go off to the capital. ¡®I can change them from the inside.¡¯ He¡¯d told me when he joined the Justicars. Now he¡¯s probably off somewhere swinging his sword and talking about justice or some other nonsense.¡± Despite her demeanor, Darian could tell she deeply cared for her brother. But hearing her talk about her family sent a pang of loneliness through his chest. I still miss you, Mom and Dad. And he knew that the longing for them wouldn¡¯t ever entirely go away. But sitting in the dusty temple with Fria made the loneliness a little more bearable. ¡°I promise not to,¡± Darian said, trying his best not to end the sentence with m¡¯lady. ¡°Good. Otherwise I¡¯d regret sticking my neck out for you.¡± She leaned onto her knees, her face growing tense. ¡°And I¡¯ve decided I want to help you destroy the nether gates.¡± Darian blinked at her. ¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong, I¡¯ll be glad to have help, but what made you change your mind? You already knew the necromancer was building an army out here.¡± ¡°Gershank.¡± She said the name with such venom Darian involuntarily scooted backwards. ¡°He killed my father, and I want help killing him.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a tall order.¡± Darian knew that even with his new strength, Gershank could kill him easily. ¡®That monster is powerful.¡± ¡°But if what you told me is true, then you can become stronger than him, right?¡± She thumbed the string of her bow. ¡°It takes years for most people to learn new skills, but you¡¯ve gotten stronger in only a week. If you keep going, Gershank won¡¯t be a problem for you after too much longer.¡± She had a point, but Darian wasn¡¯t sure how big the gap between him and Gershank was. ¡°I¡¯m not sure.¡± ¡°Well, think on it.¡± She yawned. ¡°I¡¯m going to find a nice spot to curl up for the night. Mind keeping watch?¡± ¡°It won¡¯t be a problem, M¡¯¡ª¡± He stopped, the word caught on his tongue. ¡°I don¡¯t mind.¡± She smiled and gave him a little shove on the shoulder. ¡°Look at this big scary monster. I wonder if Jorg is done pissing himself.¡± She stood and walked to the corner, Zan beside her. ¡°Give my request some thought, Darian. Avenging my father and killing that monster would be doing the world a favor.¡± She leaned against the wall, setting her bow and quiver down. ¡°But I¡¯ll help you out either way. It¡¯s what my father would have wanted.¡± And then she closed her eyes. Darian sat watching her for a moment, his chest warming. My first official friend in this world. But then he thought of Carver and his happiness turned to anger. Why did he believe that Jorg dude so easily? That guy would have killed me if I didn¡¯t do something. But he shook the thoughts away, eager to dwell in happiness rather than bitterness. Then he jumped as a new notification appeared before his eyes.
Would you like to add (Fria Von Rostcliff) to your party? Current slots remaining: 5/5 Current Cap increase: 15
Huh? This is a first. He inspected the screen. What¡¯s a cap increase? He looked at Fria who¡¯d already fallen asleep, Zan curled around her feet. He wasn¡¯t sure what accepting her into his ¡°party¡± would do, but it couldn¡¯t be a bad thing, right? God, I wish there was something I could access that tells me what the hell this stuff does. Hesitantly, he mentally answered yes.
Warning: Party members cannot be manually removed. Lost party members must be dispelled using [Divine Essence] Do you still wish to continue? (Yes)(No)
Ah man what does that even mean? But he trusted Fria for the most part, and maybe that was why this appeared now. And so far, the system hadn¡¯t done anything to screw him over, meaning this had a high likelihood of being beneficial. I¡¯m sorry if this does something weird, Fria. He selected (Yes). But nothing happened. He stood there, waiting for some new notification or anything really. He got up and walked around, checked on Fria. Yep she¡¯s still sleeping. But then something like a mechanical beep went off in his ear and a new screen appeared.
Current Party
He clicked on her name and a character sheet appeared.
Name: Fria Von Rostcliff Race: Human Age: 17 Total Level: 7 Race Level: 1 Class Level: 6 HP: 60 Attributes [Unique Skills] [Racial Skills] [Class Skills] [Traits] [Triumphs]
Wow. He could see everything. He touched [Class Skills] next, his curiosity guiding him.
Class Skills Mage Lv. 1 Archer Lv. 3 Arcane Archer Lv. 2
A noise drew his attention before he could continue. ¡°What¡­¡± Fria was sitting up, a screen floating in front of her face. ¡°In the hells is this?¡± Chapter 21 - Preparations Jorg looked out over the pond and wondered if he¡¯d made a mistake. It was a familiar routine for him at this point. He fiddled with his gloves, scratched his beard, and shifted on his heels. But that thing had been a monster, hadn¡¯t it? A blood sucker like the ghouls of Ardeth. Hesitation is death. He knew that better than anyone. But he couldn¡¯t shake the doubt nagging him. ¡°Are you certain we shouldn¡¯t go after them?¡± Carver asked, the boy¡¯s face a shadowed ruin. ¡°Aye, it¡¯s for the best,¡± Jorg replied, peering into the darkness. ¡°Fria made her choice, and now it¡¯s up to Argus to guide things from here. We can only hope she sees sense and returns to us before it¡¯s too late.¡± ¡°Still¡­¡± Carver¡¯s shoulders slumped. If it were up to Jorg, the boy would be long gone by now. He¡¯d ran when the ambush happened, sped off into the night while the rest of them fought and died. If he was a Justicar, he¡¯d be hanged for such cowardice. But he was just a scared huntsman taking on more than he could handle, and despite himself, Jorg pitied him. Jorg hadn¡¯t been much different back when he lived on the streets picking pockets and bullying people out of their hard-earned coin. Argus¡¯ grace had saved him then, and so he would give grace in return. ¡°In the morning, we search for the necromancer¡¯s power source,¡± Jorg said, hefting up his mace. ¡°You¡¯ll be my scout, but I want no heroics from you, understood?¡± Jorg knew what Carver¡¯s answer would be, but the question itself showed his faith in the boy. Long marches during the demon invasion had shown him how important that kind of faith could be. He perked up. ¡°I understand.¡± ¡°Good.¡± Jorg returned to staring out over the pond, the cold wind stinging against the wound on his arm. ¡°Now get some sleep. We leave at first light.¡± Carver went to protest but his fatigue must have won out. He stumbled his way back to the cave in silence, his head down. Jorg sighed. Their odds were dismal, but he couldn¡¯t very well return home. They needed more men, that was true, but if he fell back now the village would surely be overrun. It was a long shot, but he had to try and slow the necromancer¡¯s advance down himself. If it saved even a single innocent¡¯s life, then it would be worth it. ¡°Argus give me strength,¡± he said, doubt still circling his heart. *** Darian and Fria both stared at the hovering screen. ¡°What is this?¡± she poked at it, the screen reacting. ¡°A screen,¡± Darian said, stepping closer. ¡°I think it appeared because I added you to my party.¡± ¡°Your party?¡± She shot to her feet, a reddish light washing over her. ¡°What did you do to me?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± The words caught in his throat.
Integration complete. Welcome Fria Von Rostcliff.
The notification appeared before them both simultaneously, accompanied by an annoyingly loud trumpet. ¡°Where did that sound just come from?¡± Fria grabbed her ears. ¡°I¡¯ve gone mad.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not going crazy,¡± Darian said, gripping her shoulder with one hand and bringing up his menu with the other. ¡°Can you see this?¡± ¡°I can.¡± She lowered her arms, calm returning to her voice. ¡°These are those objects you told me about?¡± ¡°They are. Adding you to the party must have integrated you into the system.¡± She nodded, seeming to understand. The pair then spent a few minutes flipping through her menu. The only thing missing that was in Darian¡¯s menu was the locked [Divine Ascension] button. But she had everything else. An inventory, the web of classes to choose from, and an XP tracker. Meaning she can probably level up like I can. He had felt kind of bad adding her to the party without asking her, but so far it seemed to be nothing but benefits. ¡°This is probably a good thing,¡± Darian said. ¡°It better be,¡± Fria replied, still flipping through her menu. ¡°Please ask me first the next time you ¡ª¡± A notification flashed into existence, Fria jumping back from it.
Quest Added: The Vengeful Hand Objective: Kill the Warg - Gershank Bonus Objective: Allow Fria Von Rostcliff the final blow
A bonus objective? And I¡¯d forgotten about Triumphs. He looked at the bonus reward, the ¡°current cap¡± from earlier making more sense. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. ¡°Does this happen often?¡± Fria asked, looking at the quest notification as if it would jump out and bite her. ¡°Fairly often, but I¡¯m starting to get used to it.¡± He pointed up at the quest title. ¡°They seem to appear based on my desires, but I think maybe this one appeared because of yours.¡± She looked over the quest, her eyes narrowing as she read. ¡°So this¡­system thing wants us to kill Gershank?¡± She smiled. ¡°Can¡¯t say I¡¯m going to argue with it.¡± Darian dismissed the screen and settled back onto a pew. ¡°It¡¯s been helpful so far. But, enough about all that. You need to get some sleep.¡± She looked ragged, dark rings under her eyes. Zan lifted his head and regarded the pair with sleepy eyes. ¡°And now we¡¯ve woken the poor wolf,¡± Darian said. ¡°I will try,¡± Fria said petting Zan and easing back to the floor. But she spent at least an hour fiddling with screens. While they¡¯d been a shock to him, Fria didn¡¯t have anything in this world to compare them to. They were probably extra magical to her. Though her excitement eventually faded, and she fell back into slumber. *** The smell of cooked meat filled Darian¡¯s nose. He wandered out of the temple, having slept peacefully through the day. His new regeneration powers had fully restored his health, and he pulled Carver¡¯s bandages off as he walked. I really need to find a shirt. He was still shirtless and also now without a weapon. He¡¯d had to abandon his sword and dagger when they fled the cave. I¡¯ll just have to nab one from the next skeleton I see. Fria was on the temple¡¯s right side, a stack of branches, grass, and leaves forming a little alcove around her and the small fire sputtering at her feet. She held what appeared to be a cooked squirrel in her hands, the meat dripping with grease. Zan was crouched nearby, his face buried in an elk¡¯s stomach. ¡°I see you two have been busy,¡± Darian said, his own stomach grumbling. I doubt it would nourish me, but can I even eat normal food anymore? Looking at the cooked squirrel, he was tempted to try. ¡°Saved one for you.¡± She said, reaching back and producing a dead rabbit. ¡°Blood should be fresh enough.¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± Darian took the rabbit hesitantly. Something about taking it and drinking it in front of her felt¡­wrong. But she just went back to munching on her own meal, and so Darian let his fangs emerge and drained the rabbit dry. He gave the remains to Zan, but he doubted the wolf would want more to eat once he was through with the elk. ¡°So, what¡¯s the plan.¡± Fria asked, biting a chunk of meat free. ¡°We head for the fort to the east. Gershank said I should be able to notice the Nether Gate once I get close enough.¡± He squatted by the small fire. ¡°He also said there¡¯s an armory inside where I could find equipment. Might be something in there for you too.¡± ¡°It would me nice if you found something to cover up all that paleness. You¡¯re practically glowing in the moonlight.¡± She smirked. ¡°Thought the same thing myself. Well, sort of.¡± He inspected her fire and the blind she built around it. He¡¯d seen his father do something similar on their first, and last, hunting trip. ¡°Did your dad teach you how to make that?¡± He asked. ¡°He did. That and most else I know.¡± She tossed the rest of her meal over to Zan, the wolf still face deep in the elk. ¡°I can show you how to make one sometime, maybe once we¡¯ve killed that bastard Gershank and stopped this necromancer woman.¡± ¡°I think I would like that,¡± Darian said, rising to his feet. ¡°About ready to head out?¡± She nodded, retrieving her bow and quiver. ¡°C¡¯mon Zan, you¡¯ve had enough. It¡¯s time to go.¡± The wolf stood, face blood smeared. But his tail wagged as he bounded up to them, giving Darian a rather gross lick on the hand. ¡°Good boy,¡± he said, scratching between Zan¡¯s ears. Darian opened his map, Fria beside him. ¡°If I had to guess, the ruined fort is somewhere over here,¡± he said, pointing at an undiscovered zone to the east. ¡°We¡¯ll have to find it quick as we can. There¡¯s a chance I¡¯ll have to spend the day inside.¡± ¡°I understand. But what if we run across Jorg and Carver? That fanatic will still be trying to destroy the gates.¡± ¡°If we see them, we don¡¯t engage.¡± The two of them together could maybe handle Jorg, but Darian wanted to avoid a fight if it was possible. ¡°If we see them, we head back here and then go for another gate. If we¡¯re lucky, they can take one out for us.¡± ¡°Just keep your eyes and ears open. That man is big, but he¡¯s agile and quieter than you¡¯d expect.¡± ¡°Got it,¡± Darian replied, striding forward. ¡°Let¡¯s both pray this goes smoothly.¡± *** Valmier walked the fort¡¯s ruined walls. They¡¯d repaired some of it, but there were still holes here and there, great piles of moss covered stone all about. Rows of shamblers with bows shuffled along beside him, their arrows ready to pelt any would be attacker. His master had given him command of the Nether Gate here, and he was doing his best to prepare for an attack. At least one of the Justicars was still out there, and a few rangers from the village. The rangers were a small threat, but the Justicars came with holy magic. And if they regrouped, they would make a considerable force. His master¡¯s army was still in its infancy, most of their forces spread thin across the gates. And they¡¯d been losing small patrols the last few nights, too many to be from the weak monsters of the forest. The rangers and the surviving Justicar could account for some, but not all. It¡¯s that pale bastard from the cabin, it has to be. The fires of rage burned in Valmier¡¯s skeletal chest. He¡¯d not forgotten the indignity of having to retreat from such a weak foe. Perhaps, if fate was kind, he would come to the fort. Then Valmier could finally avenge his shame. The idea pleased him, and he spent the next few hours imagining what methods of torture would be best. *** The sky darkened and the fort loomed ahead. Darian and Fria crouched atop the hill, Zan in the shadows at their back. ¡°How do we get in there?¡± Darian asked. The place was a bit less ruined than he¡¯d expected, and it looked like some skeletons were working on repairing the walls. ¡°Stay here,¡± Fria said. ¡°I¡¯m going to have a look around.¡± ¡°Are you sure?¡± Darian asked, not liking the idea of her going off alone. ¡°I¡¯ll be fine. Skeletons don¡¯t have the best hearing or eyesight. Maybe I can find us a way in.¡± ¡°Alright, but be careful.¡± Darian steadied himself, readying for the challenge ahead. ¡°Always,¡± Fria said, and then she slid down the hill, disappearing into the darkness. Chapter 22 - Im Stronger Darian crouched behind the tree, listening with his enhanced perception. Despite his new abilities, Fria still stalked through the forest silently. Within moments of her leaving he could no longer hear her footsteps, and he and Zan were left to hold their positions as she scouted ahead. My Dexterity is higher than hers, but I can¡¯t hold a candle to her stealth. It seemed, much like his skill with a sword, training and real-life experience still trumped raw stats to a point. Still. He clenched his fist, his muscles exploding with increased strength. I can¡¯t wait to test my new power. With nothing to do and his excitement starting to build, Darian decided to check his quest log.
Quest: Enemy of the Grave God Objective: Destroy all three Nether Gates
Quest: Companionship Objective: Form a party of three
Quest: The Vengeful Hand Objective: Kill the Warg Gershank Bonus Objective: Allow Fria Von Rostcliff the final blow
Darian looked over his available quests, his eyes drawn the Greater XP Crystal reward. Oh yeah, Gershank gave me one of those. With everything that had happened the last two nights, it had slipped his mind. But when he opened his inventory, he was greeted with two new items. And I got a Blood Vial and magic ring from completing those other quests. He grumbled to himself. Even in a new body and in a new world, he still sucked at managing his items. The first thing he inspected was the ring.
Ring of - Summon Minor Undead
An undead minion? The idea of summoning his own skeleton did appeal to him. And with his constitution increased by at least eight, he could equip a new magical item without worrying about any kind of negative effect. Even though I still don¡¯t know what that effect actually does. He slipped the ring on, his mind linking to it. All he would need to do in order to summon his new undead friend was will the power from the ring. Now I just have to remember to actually use it. He inspected the Blood Vial next.
Blood Vial
He pulled the vial out of his inventory. It appeared to be a thin length of glass, purple arcane runes flashing along its side. It had no cork, but Darian somehow knew blood couldn¡¯t spill from the vial unless he wanted it to. Curiously, the vial was already filled with dark red blood. But the amount of blood in here wouldn¡¯t even qualify as a snack. And this was a quest reward? He was about to dismiss the item when he realized. It''s the exact amount of blood I have to drink in order to activate a buff. He reached out with his mind, asking the vial whose blood it contained.
Contents: Paladin Blood (Lv.7)
So this is Jorg¡¯s blood. Up to this point, the buffs he got for draining small animals were hardly noticeable and the buff went away with each meal. But since this vial preserved blood for him, he could save more powerful blood until he needed to use it. A healing spell could come in handy. He drank the blood, new power coursing through him. Now if anyone gets hurt, I have a two-use spell to heal them back up. The only thing left for him to inspect was the XP crystal.
Greater XP Crystal
He stared at the numbers. That¡¯s more than enough to reach my next Class Level and nearly enough to reach my third Race Level. He held the dark blue crystal in his hand, somehow knowing all he needed to do was crush it. He considered for a moment waiting until it evolved, but he needed the level now. So he pressed his hands together, the crystal cracking apart before a wave of energy filled Darian¡¯s body.
+100 Class XP +50 Race XP Class Lv. 4 Reached Progress to Class Lv. 5 (86/130) Progress to Race Lv. 3 (59/75)
He quickly opened the class selection screen and selected Warrior. With it leveled up, he had finally reached the requirements for the advanced class Spellblade.
Warrior Lv. 2
Dash Strike
While there hadn¡¯t been much difficulty so far closing the distance on his foes, his new skill could at least be useful in taking out archers. Can¡¯t wait to test this out. ¡°Darian.¡± The sound of his voice being whispered so close nearly made him jump. Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. ¡°Did you need to sneak up on me?¡± Darian asked Fria, the woman sitting in the moon cast shadow of a nearby tree. ¡°Not my fault you were distracted.¡± She pointed a thumb over her shoulder. ¡°I think I found something. There¡¯s a cave back in the woods surrounded by shamblers. Looks like they¡¯re busy fortifying it and building a road. It might lead into the fort.¡± ¡°Sounds worth checking out, but why do you look so worried?¡± ¡°There¡¯s a Bone Knight guarding the entrance.¡± *** Darian crouched in the tall grass, Zan flattened beside him. He could see the skeletons shuffling about, chopping at trees or hauling small stones to a path cut through the forest. Others were busy sharpening sticks and making wooden barricades. It looked like they were trying to fortify the cave mouth. And they wouldn¡¯t be doing that if there wasn¡¯t something inside. He counted at least twenty of the weaker variety of skeleton, but there were three standouts. The first was the Bone Knight who stood with greatshield and axe beside the entrance to the cave. Then there were two black robed skeletons marching along and observing the others. They looked almost like supervisors. But I still figure the main problem is the Bone Knight. Darian reached up and touched his chest. His last encounter with one nearly killed him. But I¡¯m much stronger now. Though he knew a straight up fight wouldn¡¯t go their way. That¡¯s why he had to put his faith in Fria. He burst from the grass and rushed a patrolling skeleton. Darian still had no weapon, and he eyed the monster¡¯s blade. He caught it by surprise, both his arms grabbing its wrist. Normally he would have killed it with [Shocking Grasp] but he needed to be more conservative with his skills. There was no telling how big this cave and fort really were, and he needed to save his powers for when he truly needed them. With a jerk, he tried to wrench the sword from the skeleton¡¯s grip, surprised when its entire arm popped free instead. With it still in his hand, Darian decided to use the improvised weapon to beat the skeleton to death. It crumbled, the arm he held falling away. He snatched up the sword and ducked, an arrow speeding past him. That was Zan¡¯s cue, and the beast howled.
Buff Applied: Pack Leader''s Howl
Darian knocked an arrow from the air, his own speed and precision surprising him. But two axe wielding shamblers came at him at once and he was forced on the back foot. He knocked one blow wide and then smashed the other¡¯s skull in with his sword. As it crumbled, he kicked the remaining skeleton in the chest, knocking it prone. It burst apart as he rained blows down upon it. Something ice cold smashed into Darian¡¯s arm and he spun, one of the robed skeletons charging up some kind of spell. But he wasn¡¯t about to give it the chance. He rushed forward then used his new skill [Dash Strike]. The burst of speed was immense, and Darian crashed into the skeleton, his sword cracking down on its skull. But it wasn¡¯t finished, arcane frost still pooling in its hands. Darian grabbed its face and used a combination of [Shocking Grasp] and another quick strike to finish it. The Bone Knight finally lumbered forth, many of the smaller skeletons flocking to it. It¡¯s about to buff them. Even though he was stronger, Darian didn¡¯t like the odds of fighting a small army of buffed up monsters. C¡¯mon Fria, where are you? But then, just as the Bone Knight raised its arms for the buff, she appeared. Her arrow lit the night, the multicolored shaft speeding through the air and colliding with the Bone Knight¡¯s back. It fell forward, back smoking from Fria¡¯s unique skill [Omni Element]. Zan rushed from the shadows and fell upon the remaining skeletal wizard, his jaws clamped around its head. The Bone Knight turned to face the new threat, exposing its backside to Darian. He charged forward and with the aid of [Determined Strike], he jammed his blade into the back of the monster¡¯s knee. It stumbled, Darian twisting the blade free. His palm pressed into the back of its armored plate, electricity flowing from his hand. The beast bellowed, the smaller skeletons all rushing Darian. But it was too late. Another jab to the opposite knee and the Bone Knight was on the ground. It dropped its weapon and shield, falling to all fours. Zan was on it then, his claws tearing free its massive iron helmet. Then a flaming arrow sped from the woods, the impact shattering the Bone Knight''s head in a shower of sparks. Darian hacked a skeleton down, his fist smashing into the skull of another. He snatched a sword off the ground with his left hand and set to using both blades to carve through the horde. One after another they fell, his blows thunderous and bone shattering. Even if they resisted bladed weapons, the strength in Darian more than made up for it. Zan soon joined him, the wolf¡¯s massive body sending the monsters scattering. Before long the entire area outside the cave was covered in bones, the last of the skeletons falling to an arrow through the spine.
Enemies Defeated [Skeleton Lv. 1] x11 [Skeleton Lv. 2] x2 [Skeleton Lv. 4] Companion Contribution: 15 XP Class XP Gained: 89 [Class Level Five Reached] Progress to Class Lv. 6 (45/175)
¡°That¡¯s all of them,¡± Fria said as she approached. Darian stored his extra sword in his inventory, doing the same to a few other scattered blades as Fria took a breath. ¡°I gained another level,¡± he said, turning to see Fria had an Enemies Defeated screen floating beside her head. ¡°I did too, apparently.¡± She clicked through menus, adding a level to [Arcane Archer] without a second thought. ¡°Though I apparently share a fourth of my XP earnings with you.¡± Guess that¡¯s what companion contribution is. ¡°Sorry for the tax, but I do think I deserved something for helping take down the Bone Knight.¡± He nudged its rusted armor with his boot. ¡°Glad that attack of yours did so much damage.¡± ¡°It¡¯s the unique ability of my bloodline. Most nobles have something similar.¡± She checked the arrows remaining in her quiver. ¡°I can only use it one more time tonight, so don¡¯t start relying on it.¡± ¡°I would never,¡± Darian said, taking a seat atop the Bone Knights corpse. Its armor made a surprisingly nice chair. He opened up Class Selection and with a jolt of excitement, clicked on the Spellblade advanced class.
Spellblade Lv. 1
Arcane Blade This skill imbues the user¡¯s next weapon attack with the power of a (touch) spell. The attack does the spell and weapons normal damage (plus modifications) but also infuses the blow with an additional (1/4th Arcane) damage modification. This ability can be used three times per day plus the users total Magic class levels (Current total uses: 6) Note: using this ability also consumes a use of the targeted touch spell.
Corrosive Touch Range: Touch
¡°All done?¡± Fria asked. Darian dismissed the screens, excited to give [Arcane Blade] a try in particular. ¡°I am.¡± They stood before the yawning cave mouth, the path within narrow and dark. ¡°Zan,¡± Fria said, giving the wolf a scratch between the ears. ¡°You should stay here.¡± The wolf drew back and whimpered. ¡°I know, but that path looks too narrow for all three of us. Plus, we need someone to stay out here and warn us if more skeletons show up. Can you do that, boy? Give us a bark if someone tries sneaking up on us?¡± Zan barked, his tail wagging. ¡°You sure about leaving him behind?¡± Darian asked. ¡°I am. Fighting in a cave will be hard enough for me without him getting in front of my arrows. Plus, Zan doesn¡¯t do well in tight spaces to begin with. Best to let him guard our backs.¡± ¡°Well, if you¡¯re sure.¡± Darian stepped into the cave, the air within damp and smelling of decay. ¡°Guess let¡¯s do this.¡± And so they descended, Darian in front and Fria a step behind, both ready to face whatever the darkness was hiding. Chapter 23 - Into Darkness The cave was narrow and dark, the only light source coming from pitiful torches that flickered from rusted sconces along the walls. Darian¡¯s body allowed him to see clearly despite lack of light, but Fria had no such benefits. ¡°I guess skeletons don¡¯t need much light to see,¡± she said from behind him, her voice a soft whisper. ¡°Guess not.¡± How do skeletons see anyway, they don¡¯t have eyes. Still pondering this, something small and chittering ran along the ground. A rat, and a normal sized one. Sensing an opportunity, Darian used [Dominate Animal] on it. ¡°What did you do to that rat?¡± Fria asked, peering around Darian¡¯s ribs. ¡°I used a skill on it, I¡¯m going to have it follow us for a while.¡± He was only going off his gut, but a place like this had to be trapped. But the skeletons weren¡¯t exactly agile or all that intelligent. If there were side paths, the traps would most likely be down them. And even if there weren¡¯t any traps, he could command the rat to run ahead and bite any skeletons it saw. If it died, he knew there was trouble coming. Run along and bite any skeletons you see, but stop if there is a fork in the path. The fat rat, with its green misted eyes, squeaked before charging off into the unknown. They went along in silence after that, the air growing colder, the torches further and further apart. Darian also started to notice two thick cuts in the earth, like something heavy on wheels had been pushed through the cave. Are they mining down here or something? He was still holding out hope the cave connected to the fort somehow, but the longer they walked, the less likely that seemed to become. He stopped, his connection to the rat severed. He held up a hand and then they crouched. Light flickered ahead, revealing the tunnel they crept through joined with another. Darian pressed himself against the wall and inched forward. He stopped as he reached where his tunnel ended and the next began. Peeking around the corner, he saw two skeletons standing outside a thick metal door. Stone edged the door, the cave seemingly dug out around it. That might lead into the fort. The two skeletons that guarded it wore rusted iron armor, each wielding a sword. One held a torch and was starting to head their way on patrol. ¡°You get the one in the back,¡± he whispered. ¡°I¡¯ve got the one in front.¡± Without waiting for a reply, Darian burst from the shadows. Using [Arcane Blade] combined with his new spell [Corrosive Touch], Darian aimed for the monster¡¯s neck. It brought its torch up to block, but Darian¡¯s shimmering green sword cut right through it and slammed into the skeleton. Pushing with all his strength, Darian tore the monster¡¯s head free of its shoulders. It crumbled, the one behind it struck right between the eyes by an arrow. Darian rushed it and hacked at its exposed knee. It buckled, sword stabbing at him. But he knocked the strike aside and then drove his blade upward. It pierced the skeleton right behind the teeth, the tip of Darian¡¯s blade bursting out the top of its head.
Enemies Defeated [Skeleton Lv. 3] [Skeleton Lv. 3] Class XP Gained: 14 Progress to Class Lv. 6 (61/175)
¡°You¡¯re fast,¡± Fria said, joining Darian. ¡°You got to him before I could nock another arrow.¡± But it wasn¡¯t only that he¡¯d become faster. He gave the sword in his hand practice swing, the blade flowing with a grace he didn¡¯t possess in the previous battle. Spellblade did give me further proficiency with one-handed bladed weapons. Guess this is the result. He was still far from a master swordsman, but he enjoyed his new finesse. Fria walked past him and gave the big metal door a pull and then a push, her hands tiny against the thick handle. ¡°It¡¯s locked.¡± ¡°Let me try.¡± Darian rested his sword against the wall and gripped the door with both hands. He pulled and pulled, pushed and jerked, but the door did not give in the slightest. ¡°Yep, that¡¯s locked.¡± He looked over his shoulder at the dark tunnel that curved deeper into the earth. ¡°Don¡¯t figure the key is down there, do you?¡± Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. ¡°Might as well check,¡± Fria said, counting her remaining arrows. ¡°This could lead into the fort, so it¡¯s worth the risk.¡± There was a small space near the top of the door, a little window to the other side. Iron bars blocked Darian from being able to reach through, but he pressed his nose up to the gap and sniffed. There was something in the air, but he couldn¡¯t quite make it out over the moldy smell of the cave. But wait. He remembered one of his new skills, [Minor Transformation]. Willing the power forth, he transformed his nose into that of a wolf. The sensation was incredibly bizarre. Darian¡¯s nose felt like it was suddenly stretched, twisting and growing fuzzy. But his sense of smell was enhanced, there was no doubt about that. He gave the air another whiff, this time able to make out the scent of wildflowers and pine trees. This must lead somewhere toward the surface, at the very least. He dismissed the power, his nose mercifully shrinking back to its normal proportions. ¡°Alright,¡± he said. ¡°Let¡¯s find that key.¡± *** The ground was uneven as they traveled and more than once the path split off only to come to a sudden dead end. There were also loose stone bricks poking from the walls here and there, with more laying along the ground. The cave they traveled through might have once been part of the fort above but a collapse destroyed whatever was below. But the skeletons had been busy. Pickaxes and carts full of the earth¡¯s refuse lined the path. The tools were long abandoned however, swallowed by cobwebs. The odds of finding a key down here seemed more unlikely by the second. Then they reached a point where the path split in two, but there were no torches flickering in the darkness ahead. Darian¡¯s vision was great in the dark, but even he needed a small amount of light to see. Fria was even worse off, her eyes squinting even in the current light. ¡°Should we turn back?¡± Darian said. ¡°This part of the cave looks abandoned.¡± ¡°Perhaps not,¡± Fria said, crouching and running her hands over the dirt. ¡°Ground is softer here, churned by something coming through recently. Perhaps one of the carts.¡± The sound of a pick striking rock echoed from ahead, but Darian couldn¡¯t tell which path it came from. ¡°Guess someone is still down here. Hopefully they have the key.¡± He moved forward, eyes scanning the darkness. ¡°But which way is it?¡± They both stood there a while, listening to the sound of a pickaxe carving into something hard, never able to tell from which path the sound came. Eventually, Darian activated his skill [Minor Transformation] in order to give himself the ability to use echolocation. Something churned inside his head this time, his throat also writhing and shifting. Fria looked rather horrified at whatever was happening and so Darian turned away from her, his new ability coming to him naturally. He opened his mouth and something between a screech and a squeal emerged. He expected Fria to complain about the sudden noise, but it was like she couldn¡¯t hear it. Eventually the sound came back to Darian, his mind able to make out shapes ahead. ¡°Grab my shoulder and follow me,¡± he said, opening his mouth for another round of screeching. Together they went, down and up, up and down, until they curved around a bend and saw purple light shimmering ahead. The room before them was massive, the walls and ceiling jutting with bright purple crystals. Light swirled within the curved shapes, drowning in the rocky room in dancing purple light. A lone skeleton stood at the far end of the chamber, his pickaxe rhythmically falling against one of the crystals. ¡°And it wasn¡¯t even my fault,¡± the creature rasped. ¡°Damn that Valmier, making me come down here. He knows how I hate the dark.¡± Darian undid [Minor Transformation] and exchanged glances with Fria. She nocked an arrow. ¡°If it talks that means it¡¯s powerful. We need to hit it before it sees us.¡± Darian nodded and crouched. ¡°I¡¯ll get as close as I can and rush in after you shoot.¡± ¡°Just make sure he doesn¡¯t hear you coming,¡± she whispered. Darian smirked before he crept forward. His steps were extremely light now that his dexterity was so high. Each footfall was accurately placed between the shards of crystal that dotted the floor. He hardly even had to keep his eyes on where he was going. Instead, he focused on the back of the skeleton, its pickaxe still cracking into the crystal. He was almost close enough to hit with a [Dash Strike], he just had to creep a little closer and¡ª His foot crunched into a thick chunk of crystal, his boot reducing it to powder. The sound made him wince and the Skeleton spun to face him. ¡°Who? What?¡± The blazing green fire in its eye sockets narrowed as it saw Darian. Then a flaming arrow ignited at the other end of the chamber, the flaming shaft speeding toward the skeleton¡¯s head. But the monster dropped his pickaxe and clapped his hands together, writhing shadows springing up all around him, cocooning him inside and protecting him from the attack. When he emerged, a scythe was in his hands and the shadows spread across the ground. Then a horrid moaning filled the room, mangled arms bursting from the darkness along the floor. Zombies. They rose up, flesh and bone torn, their bodies covered in dirty rags. Darian counted about ten of them in total, each one with their milky eyes focused on him. Darian activated his Ring of Summon Minor Undead, an armored skeleton appearing at his side. With it beside him and his blade lit up with electricity, he rushed forward. Chapter 24 - Death of a Companion Darian shoved his electrified blade into the zombie¡¯s chest, rotten blood spilling from the wound. The skeleton beyond it turned toward Fria, tendrils of shadow writhing beneath it like nightmarish tentacles. Bolts of black energy split the air, crackling as they crashed right where Fria had been standing. I have to help her. Darian gritted his teeth and pulled his blade free, his summoned minion bashing into two zombies with its shield. But the undead surrounded him, their physical strength and durability far greater than the skeletons he¡¯d been fighting. Even after striking one with [Arcane Blade] it still lumbered after him. He tried backing away and using his speed, but the scythe welding skeleton was also on the move, the darkness swirling beneath him somehow boosting his speed. ¡°Die intruder.¡± Another bolt of dark energy flew from its palm, the scythe in its hands starting to glow a deep purple. Darian managed to hit him in the shoulder with [Flare], finally drawing the monster¡¯s attention. It spun and raised its scythe, a wave of energy spilling from the blade and enveloping the zombies. They jerked to life, their speed increased. Darian hacked an arm free but one of them managed to bite into his shoulder. He stumbled back, a chunk of flesh ripping free. Then another zombie was on him, its yellowed teeth snapping. Grabbing its face, Darian cast [Corrosive Touch] and sent an empowered slash into its guts. But despite its face melting off and its stomach being split open, the creature still advanced. I have to take out the summoner. While he couldn¡¯t be sure, Darian had played enough games to know that when the summoner died his summons usually went with him. But the zombies were forming a circular barrier around their master, a bolt of flame now leaping from his palm. Ducking, Darian just barely managed to avoid the spear of fire. But then another followed, the onslaught of ranged attacks keeping him at bay. His summoned skeleton managed to kill one of the zombies, but it fell to the ground and evaporated soon after. Fria was still sending her arrows in, but the shadows around the skeleton seemed to be knocking them from the air. He had to get in close, but how? I have to try dashing in, but he keeps staying just out of range. The zombies came at him again, four staying by their master¡¯s side. Stepping back, Darian slashed across one of the creature¡¯s throats. Blood spewed from the wound, its head nearly coming off. But as he was hacking at another, a searing bolt of fire smashed into his arm. The pain was immense, and Darian fell to one knee. One or two more of those and I¡¯m dead. He went ahead and used the remaining summon in his ring, this time having a skeleton archer appear beside him. Not really what I need right now, but it can at least distract them for a second. The zombie with the slashed neck stumbled forward, dark blood still oozing from the wound. It was as Darian drove his sword through its chest that he remembered. He pulled his blade free and cast [Swarm]. From the shadows of a nearby rock came a horde of small black bats. They surrounded the zombie, weeping cuts appearing all across the creature¡¯s flesh. Darian kicked a lunging zombie away and then cast [Blood Shield] on the bleeding zombie. The blood pooled from its many wounds, coming to Darian¡¯s side as a floating disk. Using his mind, he lifted the shield up just as another bolt of flame was coming his way. The fire smashed into the shield, but it held. With it floating by his side, Darian slipped between two zombies and advanced on the scythe wielder. But he was still too fast, moving just out of reach for a dashing attack. There has to be a way to close the distance better. He looked over to a crystal about halfway between himself and the skeleton. Don¡¯t know if this will work, but I might as well try. He lowered himself and activated [Dash Strike], designating the crystal as his target. His body catapulted forward, speeding past the clutching hands of the undead. His sword smashed into the crystal and Darian turned on his heels, eyes on his true target. Activating [Dash Strike] a second time, Darian sped toward the summoner. I don¡¯t know if I¡¯ll get another chance like this. I have to make it count. He not only activated [Arcane Blade] to imbue his sword with electricity, but he also added the weight of [Determined Strike] to blow. The skeleton tried bringing his scythe around to block, but Darian had caught the monster by surprise. His shimmering blade crashed into tis ribs, splitting bone and flashing with arcane power. He slammed his open palm onto its face and cast [Corrosive Touch] followed immediately by [Shocking Grasp]. The shadows around the monster faded and it attempted to pull free, but Darian still had a grip on its face. ¡°Enough!¡± an immense force exploded from the skeleton¡¯s chest and Darian was sent spiraling back. A boiling ball of flame then appeared in the skeleton¡¯s hand, the bright orb hurtling at Darian a moment later. But he still had his blood shield. He brought it around as he jumped to his feet, the shield shattering but nullifying the spell. A flaming arrow struck the monster in the back and Darian jumped forward, his blade arcing down. The force of the blow carried his sword through the skeleton¡¯s head, and it fell to the ground, skull shattering against the dirt.
Enemies Defeated Adenion Lv. 13 Bonus - Rival¡¯s Companion killed: + 50 Class XP Class XP Gained: 110 Progress to Class Lv. 6 (171/175)
Adenion? Was that its name? And what¡¯s this about a rival¡¯s companion? Darian turned to find the summoned zombies had disappeared. ¡°Sorry I wasn¡¯t much help,¡± Fria said, resting against one of the crystals, her breath coming in ragged spurts. ¡°Those damned shadows kept blocking my arrows.¡± ¡°Not much you could do about that,¡± Darian said with a smile, the rush of victory washing over him. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t happen to¡ª¡± Fria hissed through clenched teeth, her bow clattering to the ground. ¡°Fria?¡± She collapsed. ¡°Fria!¡± Darian rushed to her side. ¡°Your arm.¡± Her left shoulder and much of her arm was seared black, most likely from one of the skeletons energy bolts. ¡°I¡¯ll¡­live,¡± she said trying to grin through the pain. ¡°Here.¡± Darian gently placed both his palms on the wound and cast the [Greater Heal] he¡¯d gained from drinking Jorg¡¯s blood. The black burns swirled in golden light, replaced by pinkish flesh. ¡°How is it now?¡± She tested her arm. ¡°Still stings but I can deal with it.¡± Her face scrunched up at him. ¡°How¡¯d you know that spell?¡± ¡°Jorg¡¯s blood,¡± Darian said helping Fria to her feet. ¡°I gain temporary bonuses when I drink blood. His gave me access to a healing spell.¡± He looked her over, frowning at seeing her still in pain. ¡°I have another use, if you need more healing.¡± Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. She chuckled. ¡°I¡¯m fine, but are you telling me you haven¡¯t noticed the giant burn on your shoulder?¡± Darian followed her eyes to the length of charred flesh on his upper arm. Looking at it immediately made the wound start stinging. ¡°I guess I should use it on myself.¡± Fria grinned. ¡°Yeah, probably.¡± She picked her bow back up as Darian cast the healing magic on his wounds. ¡°But that means we¡¯re out of healing now, doesn¡¯t it?¡± Darian nodded. ¡°Unfortunately.¡± She sighed. ¡°If only Jorg wasn¡¯t such a righteous bastard. Having him here with us would be a great boon.¡± Thinking about Jorg made Darian see Carver¡¯s face, reminding him of how horrified the boy looked when he saw Darian¡¯s mouth dripping with blood. ¡°We don¡¯t need him. We just have to be more careful.¡± ¡°As long as we don¡¯t encounter another like this one, we should be fine.¡± Fria nudged the dead skeleton with her boot. ¡°What was he doing down here anyways?¡± Darian dropped to one knee, smiling as he found a keyring inside the creature¡¯s robe. ¡°Don¡¯t know but he has a set of keys on him.¡± He hoped the scythe would remain, but it was gone. Guess it was a summoned item like the zombies. But he didn¡¯t leave the battle empty handed. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± He tugged on the length of steel. A necklace?
Item Obtained: Necklace of Meager Constitution [Equipment]
He brought the necklace up. It was rather plain, the only remarkable thing about it being the small green stone dangling from it. Darian couldn¡¯t equip another magic item without suffering ill effects, so he took off his Chain of Mist and handed it to Fria. ¡°For me?¡± She said taking the silver chain. ¡°It¡¯s an enchanted item,¡± Darian said slipping his new necklace on. ¡°It will let you summon mist twice a day and give you a small perception boost. Might come in handy if you need to make a getaway.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± she said, slipping the chain around her neck. ¡°You might be the first person to give me a gift that wasn¡¯t one of my parents.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t get used to it,¡± Darian said with a smirk. ¡°I think it¡¯s time we try that door. But first.¡± He walked over and inspected the crystal the skeleton had been hammering. Chunks of it sat all around, a cloth sack nearby. Guess he was taking these somewhere, but why? Darian activated his skill [Detect Magic] and sure enough, the crystals were magical. He gathered a bunch of them up and put them inside the sack. They weren¡¯t very heavy, so when the sack was full he shoved the whole thing into his inventory. With that complete, he and Fria made their way back through the darkness. Fria kept one of the glowing crystals for herself and used it to light the darkened portion of the tunnel. Darian didn¡¯t mind, if the light did give them away, he was pretty confident they could take on whatever spotted them. Plus, he didn¡¯t particularly like using [Minor Transformation] and so he was happy to avoid needing it again. Once they reached the door, Darian produced the keyring from his inventory. There were three keys on it, two rusted and one newer, the metal glinting in the torchlight. Doubt it¡¯s the newer one. The first rusty key he tried clicked and he was able to open the door. The door was still heavy enough that Darian grunted as he forced it open. Beyond it was a wide stone staircase that spiraled upward, torches flickering along the walls. ¡°Well, after you.¡± Fria said, giving Darian a pat on the back. ¡°The first Nether Gate awaits.¡± But he wasn¡¯t afraid. Indeed, a fresh wave of excitement washed over him. Doing this, testing his body and beating the odds, that was living. Years spent confined to his bed had whittled away his will to live, but now, even faced with death itself, he found his heart racing. This was no game, and yet he relished his next battle. Life and death, risk and reward. Those were what drove his body up the stairs. Whatever was waiting at the top, he was ready. His new life had been hard, but he wasn¡¯t going to let anything stop him. He would destroy the gates and gain power. Power enough that creatures like Gershank could no longer threaten him. After that he would explore this world, its sights, smells, and sounds¡ªeven its darkest depths. He would discover all the things he couldn¡¯t in his old life. He smiled, his future for once holding hope. *** Victoria crouched before the summoning sigil, her body bursting with excess negative energy. She channeled this power into the sigil as she recited the incantation. Within moments the power left her, and a horde of new minions stood within the circle. ¡°Reinforce my position in the swamp,¡± she commanded, the shambling mass rattling and twisting. ¡°Wait there until Oliver instructs you otherwise.¡± The skeletons, each wielding a sword and buckler, marched down the hall and toward the crypts exit. Victoria watched them go, her limbs growing weak. She settled into a nearby red leather chair and ordered one of her skeletal servants to fetch her some wine. Summoning such weak fodder was tiring, but it was slowly advancing her Divine Skill [Grave Lord]. After a few more weeks, she could up the level of her permanent summons, and then she would march on Ulsfel and then all of Lonelen soon after. ¡°Those damned Justicars will suffer.¡± She smiled, no warmth or joy in it. Only her vengeance kept her going now. She jumped, a notification blinking to life before her eyes.
Companion Slain: Adenion Silverweave (Lv. 13)
¡°What?¡± She rose to her feet, fists clenched. Adenion was weak but he had potential. And she¡¯d just sent him off from the crypt to farm XP near the eastern fort. ¡°How could he have died?¡± Her servant appeared, wine in hand. She took the cup and drained it, slamming it down on a nearby desk as she checked her party screen.
Current Party
She slumped back in her chair. She still had no idea how to get [Divine Essence] and without it, she couldn¡¯t dismiss her dead party members. But I still have Valmier. Him she could rely on. But what inside this low-level zone could have killed him? The only creature within the woods that was high enough level was that bumbling fool of a Warg Gershank. But with his cursed collar on she would know if he attacked one of her minions. Maybe the surviving Justicar? She snapped her fingers and ordered more wine.
Quest Added: Preemptive Deicide Objective: Kill Darian Carmine Bonus Objective: Kill Fria Von Rostcliff
She blinked at the screen. "Another Aspirant has come for me, it seems." She slumped into her chair, the screams and flames of that night playing in her mind. "But it looks like I know who Killed Adenion." But she had to warn Val. "Lora!" she called. "Summon the generals. The fort is in danger." She turned and marched down the hall, fear and rage swirling in her rotting heart. Chapter 25 - The Armory Valmier stood over the alchemist¡¯s shoulder, watching as the fleshy creature worked his disgustingly fat fingers around the mortar. Why his master had not stripped the man¡¯s flesh away and bound him to her will directly, he did not know. But the elderly alchemist was chained to the floor, his wrists and ankles bound, the door locked and his surviving allies imprisoned. That hadn¡¯t stopped him from trying to escape, but now that Valmier watched him, the man finally set to work. ¡°I will need more Nether Crystal soon,¡± the man said. The way his lips moved disgusted Valmier, and he fought the urge to rip them free. ¡°Adenion will return with more before long. Focus on preparing the elixir and worry not about the crystal.¡± They had more than enough Nether Crystal for the alchemist, but Adenion had managed to crack or drop the last four batches. He also never stopped with his endless questions and so Valmier had sent him below the fort to gather more crystal himself. A little undignified manual labor would hopefully teach the fresh recruit a lesson. But I pray he returns soon. It is rather difficult to keep my urges in check while I am alone. Valmier strode to the door and leaned against the wall. He was to spend one night here, then make his way to the swamp in the southwest. His master had lost many of her soldiers there already and Valmier was to find out what killed them. Since that fleshy fool Oliver cannot be bothered to do his duties. Though for now Valmier watched their prisoner, his thoughts often drifting back to the pale man. Oh, how he wished to carve away his flesh. Ah I must restrain myself. Thoughts of flaying would have to stay away for now, at least until Adenion returned. But where is that fool, he should have been back already. If he didn¡¯t return soon, Valmier would have to go below the fort and fetch him. And he will not escape with just another lecture. Valmier closed his spectral eyes and wished he was back at the crypt, serving the Grave Lord directly. But he would return before long, and then all the living world would be his to carve. *** The stairs spiraled up and up, stopping at another thick iron door. Darian opened it with the second rusty key, wincing as the door screeched open. He and Fria moved past it with silent steps, the smell of the forest flowing in form barred windows high along the wall. ¡°Now to find the Nether Gate,¡± Darian whispered. He could feel that it was close, some kind of energy tugging at his skin. But he had no idea which direction to go. He pressed his ear up to a door on his left, listening for the sound of rattling bones. When he didn¡¯t hear anything, he shouldered it open, finding nothing but an empty chamber on the other side. They checked a few more rooms as they went, most filled with nothing but broken equipment and cobwebs. But then they turned the corner and saw a wide double door at the end of the hall, the great hunks of iron guarded by a group of skeletons. ¡°That might be the armory,¡± Darian said. ¡°Or the Nether Gate could be behind it.¡± Fria glanced behind them. ¡°There are a few side passages jutting from this hall. If we make too much noise, we might rouse the whole fort.¡± The hall was long enough that the skeletons would see them coming. And even if they didn¡¯t, the monster¡¯s bodies burst apart after death. Meaning no matter what they did, stealth kills weren¡¯t an option. ¡°We rush them and take them out as fast as we can,¡± Darian said, gripping his sword tight. ¡°If you¡¯re sure.¡± Fria readied an arrow. ¡°I¡¯ve got two more uses of flame arrow, six for lightning arrow, and one more use of my unique skill.¡± Darian quickly checked over his skills. ¡°I¡¯m good on most things except arcane blade. I¡¯ll have to save that for something big.¡± He looked around the corner. ¡°Looks like there are three of the weaker ones, two warriors, two mages, and three archers.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take out the mages first,¡± Fria¡¯s arrow lit up, blue energy zapping from the tip. ¡°Then work on the archers.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll rush in after you fire and tie up the warriors.¡± Darian lowered himself, ready to charge into battle. Then Fria stepped out and let her arrow fly. Darian was already halfway down the hall when it smashed into one of the black robed mages, his body bursting with electricity. The monsters tried to move into some kind of formation, but Darian was on them too quickly. He hacked down at a buckler, the bone beneath the shield cracking after only a single strike. He kicked the skeleton¡¯s knee and it stumbled, a slash across the chest killing it. The warriors came at him next, their iron shields deflecting his first few strikes. But then Darian gripped the rim of one shield and pulled it away, the tip of his sword bursting through the skeleton¡¯s chest the next second. Kicking it away, Darian jumped back just as a sword chopped down at his arm. He raised his palm and shot the skeleton in the face with [Flare] and as it stepped back, his sword smashed through its ribs. They were pressed in too close for another swing, and so Darian grabbed the skeleton by the shoulder and smashed its face in with a headbutt. It burst apart, freeing his sword. He turned, teeth clenched as he deflected a blow. Then he parried a strike and used his forward momentum to carry his sword down and through a skeleton¡¯s chest. That only left one, and he chopped its wrist off before finishing it with a cracking slash to the neck.
Enemies Defeated [Skeleton Lv. 1] x3 [Skeleton Lv. 3] x2 Companion Contribution: 7 Class XP Gained: 35 Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. [Class Level 6 Reached] Progress to Class Lv. 7 (31/215)
Darian spun, teeth barred, ready for more. But then he noticed the notification and with some disappointment lowered his sword. ¡°Down to four uses of lightning arrow,¡± Fria huffed, her brow thick with sweat. ¡°Thanks for the support.¡± Looking at how tired firing off so many arrows made her, Darian was extra thankful for his fatigue immunity. He turned to the thick doors. ¡°Please don¡¯t be locked.¡± ¡°We have to be quick, we just made a lot of noise,¡± Fria said, collecting the skeleton archers¡¯ arrows. ¡°I know.¡± He gripped the iron handles and pulled. The door opened, the dark metal hinges groaning. He could already see the glint of steel beyond, and he smiled. They moved inside and shut the door behind them. ¡°Let¡¯s grab what we need and get out,¡± Darian said, his feet carrying him to a steel sword at the other end of the room. As Fria was stuffing various things into her inventory, Darian approached the racked weapon. It was longer and thinner than the iron sword he currently wielded, and the blade had a slight shimmer to it, the edges glinting red. He put his current sword into his inventory and gripped his new weapon.
Item Obtained: Sparkblade Weight: 4 pounds
He gave the sword a practice swing, the air behind it trailing with flame. ¡°Here,¡± Fria said from behind. Darian turned and she handed him a red tunic and a big pile of shining metal. He put his sword down and slipped the shirt on, realizing soon after the metal was chainmail.
Item Obtained: Basic mail Weight: 18 pounds
After he put the mail on, he started to feel a bit heavy. Probably more to do with all the swords in my inventory. But he¡¯d have to deal with that later, he could hear the shuffling of skeletal feet coming down the hall. He¡¯d wanted time to level up, but they had to get a move on. They pushed the doors open and then took a sharp right turn, the hall they¡¯d come down packed with skeletons. Darian couldn¡¯t be sure how many there were, but it was enough that fighting them all at once could prove troublesome. Better to funnel them into a tight corridor where their numbers won¡¯t matter. Since he couldn¡¯t tire, it didn¡¯t matter how many of the fodder tried to kill him, he could cut through them all with enough time. They came to another spiral staircase, though this one was far narrower than the last. Rushing up it, they arrived at a thick metal door. Thankfully, this one wasn¡¯t locked, and they pushed their way into a wide oval shaped room. ¡°There¡¯s a bar on this one,¡± Darian said, grabbing the thick bit of metal. He pulled it down across the door, backing away as the skeletons beat against it. ¡°I don¡¯t think they¡¯ll ever get through that.¡± ¡°I¡¯d rather not test it,¡± Fria said, glancing about. The room was mostly empty, a few tables, chairs and crates stacked against one wall. But it smelt strange, a mixture of blood, herbs, and even those crystals from the caves below the fort. The scent seemed to be coming from beyond the door at the far end of the room. But before they investigated, Darian quickly opened his class selection screen. Need to make this fast. He could now put levels into three classes: Warrior, Mage, and Spellblade. A level in Mage would give him a new and fairly powerful ranged fire spell, while Warrior would give him a buff to boost physical resistance. Spellblade gave him an ice touch spell, one that was powerful but not immediately useful since the undead resisted frost attacks. He could only see what the next level would give him, so he had no way of knowing what the classes would offer for the level after the current one. He wanted to go with Spellblade because it was an advanced class, but he decided to level up Warrior instead since the new skill could be more useful in the immediate future.
Warrior Lv. 3
Bulwark
Darian dismissed the screen, a wave of tingling energy passing through him. ¡°Let¡¯s try that door,¡± he said, motioning for Fria to follow. He pulled and pushed, but the door was locked. But there is one more key to try. He pulled the only key he found that wasn¡¯t rusted. It fit into the door perfectly, and with a turn the door opened a crack. With the skeletons beating against the door behind them, Darian tugged. ¡°Adenion, what is that racket?¡± A familiar voice rasped. ¡°And how does it take you that long to grab a few shards? Did you get lost?¡± Darian backed away, his heart falling like a stone. The skeleton stepped through the darkness of the doorway, an older man chained to the floor in the room beyond. The fires burning in its empty eye sockets blazed as it saw Darian. ¡°Back away Fria,¡± Darian put himself between the skeleton and her, his teeth barred. ¡°You.¡± A dry cackling swallowed the room, echoing off the walls. ¡°Fate is kind to old Valmier this day.¡± Valmier drew his dual curved swords, the air humming to life as the blades electrified. ¡°It¡¯s been a while,¡± Darian said, doing his best to smile. But the sight of Valmier unnerved him, his previous lust for battle fading. But he couldn¡¯t run this time even if he wanted to. Fria was with him and the door and stairs behind them was packed wall to wall with skeletons. No, he had to fight. There was no other way. ¡°I will enjoy rending the flesh from your bones, for you will not escape me a second time.¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t plan on running,¡± Darian activated [Arcane Blade] adding a corrosive edge to his flame enchanted sword. The creature laughed. ¡°You cannot beat me,¡± it said taking a step forward. ¡°But please try and make this interesting. I would hate to kill you too easily.¡± Darian lowered his stance, ready to dash in. ¡°Only one of us is dying tonight, and it won¡¯t be me.¡± He could hear Fria hiss through clenched teeth behind him, her bowstring drawing back. ¡°Then let us finish this, pale one.¡± And Valmier sprang forward, his swords bursting with arcane power. Chapter 26 - Blood and Bone (Part I) Jorg pressed himself against the tree, a cold wind rustling the forest, masking the sound of his clinking armor. Carver crouched in the bushes not far away, the boy¡¯s eyes fixed on the men who waited outside the fortress¡¯s gates. They wore dark leather armor and carried swords and axes, their leader standing at the front with a mask of bone. Lich cultists. Jorg¡¯s Justicar superiors had wiped their scourge from Lonelen years ago, but pockets of them still remained to taint the land. They were a society of necromancers and their underlings, and their presence here was troubling. The necromancer he was sent here to kill had escaped execution in the capital, but they had done¡­extensive interrogations. She had no connection to the Lich cult, yet ten of them stood awaiting entry. Even more troubling was that four hauled a coffin along with them. Necromancers often traded powerful corpses to each other as a form of currency. Whatever was in that coffin could not be raised. Destroying it in Argus¡¯ holy flame was the only proper course of action. ¡°What¡¯s the plan?¡± Carver whispered. Jorg inspected the sky above the fort. It was dark, inky blackness shrouding the silver clouds above. A Nether Gate was within, but he saw no points of entry. Indeed, the undead had been busy restoring the fort and Jorg had spotted signs of construction in the forest. She¡¯s not just building an army out here. She¡¯s building a damned empire. ¡°We wait for now, find a spot to get inside,¡± Jorg said, tightening his fist around the handle of his mace. If his squad were still alive, assaulting the fort would be child¡¯s play. But with only Carver as backup, Jorg knew there was only so much they could do. But he steeled his resolve. Dying in service to Argus was a worthy endeavor and if they were lucky, he could manage to take one of the gates out with him. He patted the satchel slung across his shoulder, the firebombs within clinking. Only as a last resort. ¡°The gate¡¯s opening,¡± Carver said, his body growing rigid. It opened slowly, skeletons shuffling on the other side. The cultists exchange words with each other before entering, one of them laughing. Must be nice to walk right through the front door. Jorg thought about launching his assault, his holy wrath building. But he waited, watched as the cultists disappeared through the gate. It was as the last of them vanished behind the walls that a loud crack filled the air. Jorg rose, peering at one of the fort¡¯s high towers. There was another crack and then one of the tower walls burst apart, a blinding flash of blue on the other side. Stone rained down and chaos soon followed. *** Darian jumped back, Valmier¡¯s electrified blades smashing into the stone at his feet. The ground fractured from the blow, more attacks coming before Darian had time to form offence of his own. He was forced on the back foot, Valmier¡¯s speed blinding. Chops and slashes came at him from all angles, the arcane swords a dance of bright blue. Darian was able to block most of the attacks, but a glancing blow sliced down his arm and leg, leaving an angry red line across his pale flesh. ¡°Slow,¡± Valmier rasped. ¡°Weak.¡± He raised both blades at once, sending them crashing down in an overhead strike. Darian brought his sword up just in time to block the swing, the force nearly sending him to his knees. But he and Valmier were even in physical strength, neither side giving ground to the other. An arrow flew past Darian¡¯s shoulder, the electrified tip sparking against Valmier¡¯s skeletal cheek. The creature pulled away, then raised one arm, a writhing mass of shadows shooting toward Fria. Darian took the opportunity to finally muster an attack, and he added not only a corrosive [Arcane Blade] to the blow but the weight of a [Determined strike]. Valmier proved to be too agile, however, and the skeleton leapt back, the tip of Darian¡¯s sword nearly grazing the monster. But Darian was not through. He turned on his heels and activated [Dash Strike]. The sudden burst of speed caught Valmier off guard, and Darian¡¯s sword cracked into the monster¡¯s shoulder, splitting his black robe and cracking the bone. ¡°Insolence!¡± Valmier¡¯s body burst with tendrils of darkness, the mass coalescing around his right fist. Darian lowered, tried to dodge, but he was too slow. Valmier¡¯s fist caught him in the cheek, his body filling with pulsing energy. But though the strike knocked Darian back, the energy within him was pleasant. He could feel it flowing through him, the cut along his arm and leg healing. Negative energy. His trait [Negative Energy Healing] had rendered the attack not only useless, but beneficial. He smiled, his confidence growing. But then Valmier laughed. ¡°You are a curious creature. Not really living, not really dead.¡± He gripped the handle of his blades tighter, the edges bursting with flame. ¡°I wanted to play with you more, experiment to my heart¡¯s content. But I¡¯m ashamed to say you¡¯re just strong enough for me to take this seriously.¡± He cackled, the sound dry and without warmth. ¡°And I can tell by the way you look at this flame, you not only share my kind¡¯s strength, but our weaknesses too.¡± Darian closed his mouth, not realizing it had fallen open when Valmier¡¯s blades lit up with flame. ¡°So what if I do? It won¡¯t help you win this.¡± Valmier burst forward, Darian caught completely off guard. He stepped back, brought his blade up, but the tips of Valmier¡¯s swords carved down his forearm and his leg, searing away the flesh. Then Valmier dropped one of his weapons, his palm flashing out. He pressed it against Darian¡¯s chest, blue flame erupting from the skeleton¡¯s open hand. Darian screamed, the pain worse than anything he could have imagined. But he grit his teeth, then knocked away a lazy slash from Valmier. He¡¯s still underestimating me. Another zapping arrow from Fria nearly caught Valmier again, but he ducked it, snatching up his dropped sword in the same motion. ¡°You are beginning to annoy me, child.¡± Valmier lowered, knees bent for what Darian guessed was [Dash Strike]. But Darian stepped between him and Fria, Valmier¡¯s attack cut short as Darian elbowed the skeleton in the face before striking him along the arm. But his attacks seemed to have little effect, and the skeleton came at Darian again. Activating his new skill [Bulwark], Darian blocked the first slash but was cut along the chest by the second, his mail shirt deflecting most of the attack. While he¡¯d managed to keep from taking a serious blow so far, Valmier¡¯s attacks were growing harder to deal with. He has a lot of the same abilities as me, but he¡¯s a higher level. Darian jumped back, a spear of flame just barely missing him. It¡¯s like I¡¯m fighting a stronger version of myself. And not only was Valmier more powerful, he was also more experienced. He seemed to read Darian¡¯s attacks before he made them, feinting and slipping away whenever Darian got too close. But there are two of us. Fria¡¯s arrows hadn¡¯t done much damage, but they¡¯d distracted Valmier enough for Darian to survive. Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. But he could only hold on so long, and a pit formed in his gut as he realized. I¡¯m losing. He¡¯d come up those stairs earlier with such confidence, but now he was left feeling like a fool. There¡¯s always someone stronger. But something about that fact lit a fire under him and he shook his head, dispelling all doubts. I didn¡¯t fight off cancer all those years just to give up here. He ducked, Valmier¡¯s blade slicing the air. He stepped back, Valmier circling him, keeping Darian between Fria. There has to be a way to win. Darian blocked one sword, the other nicking him along the arm. Think! There has to be something. Darian could hear Fria behind him, her breath hissing with each arrow, the sounds of skeletons banging on the door behind her. And from beyond Valmier Darian spotted the chained man. He moved about the room, chains rattling as he poured random contents into a bowl. Darian wasn¡¯t sure what the man was doing, but he doubted he was Valmier¡¯s ally. ¡°Fria!¡± Darian called. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about hitting me, just keep shooting.¡± With his enhanced hearing, he was able to make out her labored breathing. But each time she shot an arrow, she made the same inhaling and exhaling sound. If he waited for the sound, he could move out of the way. And she still has one more use of her unique skill. I have to give her an opening for it. Darian now had one use left of [Arcane Blade]. It, combined with Fria¡¯s [Omni Element] attack might not be enough to kill Valmier, but it would get him close enough. Just have to pray I¡¯m fast enough. Darian rushed forward, his attack enhanced by [Determined Strike]. Forgoing measured offence, Darian instead pressed Valmier with attack after attack, doing anything he could to keep the skeleton busy. Fire and ice launched from his palm, the weak spells dodged or knocked away. But still Darian advanced, his onslaught just enough to keep Valmier pressed back. Then he heard it, the hiss followed by a heavy breath. He dropped down into a lunge, the arrow speeding over his head. The flaming shaft exploded against Valmier¡¯s chest, the skeleton crying out. Using this opportunity, Darian came forward with a slash, the edge of his sword cracking into Valmier¡¯s arm. But Valmier stuck his left sword into the ground, his hand now crackling with electricity. He shot the bolt at Darian, the sound deafening. Ducking low, the bolt of arcane energy crashed into the far wall, splitting the stone near the locked door. Glancing at it, Darian noticed the door itself jerk forward, its position within the wall now compromised. They¡¯re going to push the door down. Darian turned back to Valmier, teeth clenched as the skeleton¡¯s hand lit up again. He jumped back and rolled, the bolt exploding against the stone. Then Valmier readied another attack, but this bolt was not aimed toward Darian, for Valmier¡¯s eyes narrowed at a diffident target. Fria! Darian shot to his feet, ready to use a [Dash Strike] to interrupt the attack, but he was too slow. With no other option, he jumped between Fria and Valmier, the arc of light piercing his chest. He fell and rolled, body tingling and his limbs growing numb. He didn¡¯t have time to check, but he knew his HP had to be running low. One or two more attacks like that and he was finished. Valmier raised his arm, a spear of fire appearing in his hand. But Darian had seen this spell before, knew it was slower. So he ran, the room blurring, nothing but he and his target remaining. The spear flew out, searing flame licking at the air. It was aimed right at Darian¡¯s head, but he didn¡¯t slow his advance. With his health running out and the door breaking down, it was time to end this, one way or another. Just as the fire reached his face, Darian swiveled, the spear searing along his cheek but missing center mass. And despite the pain, he kept running, his sword lighting up with electricity. Valmier took a half step back, skeletal mouth falling open in what Darian could only guess was shock. Combining [Dash Strike] and [Determined strike], Darian¡¯s sword cut into Valmier¡¯s arm with all the power he could muster. He pushed, willing his sword to cleave the skeleton in half. His sword broke through bone, the arm beneath his blade shattering, reduced to splinters. Then his sword cracked into Valmier¡¯s ribs, half the skeleton¡¯s right arm falling to the ground, his sword clanging against the stone. Then the room lit up, multicolored light dancing across the ceiling. Darian pushed into Valmier and ducked, Fria¡¯s ultimate attack speeding through the air behind him. He could feel the arrow as it passed over him, heat, cold, and the tingle of electricity combining as they exploded into Valmier¡¯s chest. The skeleton was thrown back, his crumpled body crashing against the wall. Valmier fell to the ground and Darian sprang forward, sword raised for the finishing blow. But Valmier¡¯s left hand reached up, a bolt of arcane lightning burning into Darian¡¯s face. He flew backwards, back hitting the stone hard. Everything blurred, the world flashing white. His eyes blinked open, ears ringing. Valmier was up, arrows flying at him. He ducked, prying his sword from his severed arm. Darian thought he would come for him next, finish him before he could recover. But then he sprang through the air, his sword slicing along Fria¡¯s midsection, her fur and leather armor coming away red. Darian clawed to his feet, a shape appearing in the open door to his left. ¡°Here!¡± came a voice, a small vial of bright red liquid flying through the air. He caught it, the chained man yelling something else from the doorway. But the notification was all Darian needed.
Item Obtained: Alchemist¡¯s Fire
He threw the vial, the glass erupting against Valmier¡¯s back. The skeleton cried out, dropping his sword as hungry flames crawled across his body, lighting the room in a flickering blaze. Fria lay on the ground across from him, her hands cradling a glistening wound along her stomach. The smell was delicious. It fueled Darian as he advanced on Valmier, his fangs fully emerged. He realized as he approached that his sword must have been knocked from his grip, but he didn¡¯t need it. He grabbed the skeleton by the shoulders and threw him onto the ground. Darian¡¯s fingers burned from the flame, but he didn¡¯t care. Only rage and the sweet smell of blood mattered to him now. He pressed his knee into Valmier¡¯s chest, swatting away the skeleton¡¯s hand as he tried to defend himself. Fire bit into his leg, but that didn¡¯t stop his fist from splitting Valmier¡¯s face open. His knuckles cracked into the skeleton¡¯s cheek, bleeding as they drew away covered in splinters of bone. Another strike snapped Valmier¡¯s jaw apart, the next smashing his cheek bone. Darian smiled, the scent of blood thickening in the air, invigorating him. He hooked his fingers under Valmier¡¯s teeth and lifted him, the fire sputtering out. Valmier kicked, the strikes thudding against Darian¡¯s ribs. ¡°Unhand me, beast.¡± Darian cocked his head to the side, eager to oblige. He threw Valmier against the far wall, bones cracking. But then the creature laughed as he sat up, his hand reaching out, oily blackness appearing around his fist. He¡¯s accessing his inventory? Darian was about to rush forward when Valmier pulled out a pulsing blue sphere, one that radiated with powerful magic. A bomb. ¡°Fine, you win pale one,¡± Valmier said, his face a smashed ruin. ¡°But I will not be giving you the satisfaction of killing me.¡± He smashed the orb against his chest. ¡°Forgive me, my sweet Victoria.¡± There was a blinding flash of light, then an explosion. Darian rolled back, the air in the room filled with crackling energy. He sprung to his feet, eyes peering through the haze of dust. A large portion of the far wall was gone, shrouded starlight flowing in through the hole. But the explosion was near the locked door, and it clattered open, the stone around it cracked. The skeletons beyond rushed in, their blazing eyes all on Darian. Chapter 27 - Blood and Bone (Part II) Fria was against the wall, her eyes closed, blood smeared across the ground from where she¡¯d rolled. The explosion must have thrown her back, sent her and bits of stone across the room. Sweet nectar still flowed from the gash across her stomach, the smell growing more intoxicating as Darian approached. He was only half aware of the undead who poured through the shattered doorway, his eyes focused on Fria. His gut twisted as he looked at her, one part worry, one part hunger. His boot clanged against something metal. A sword. His sword. He snatched it up as the skeletons advanced, a few of them breaking away from the main horde to gather around Fria. She doesn¡¯t belong to you. Her blood was the only thing on his mind now, the sweet scent pulling him in. He¡¯d been angry about something only moments ago, but what was it? I¡¯ve never been this hungry. His stomach growled, or was that him? One swing from his flame enchanted sword was enough to send the first skeleton to the ground with a cracked spine. His next strike took another¡¯s head off, his third attack busting open a skull. Get out of my way. The girl¡¯s blood pooled beside her, a pale hand twitching as it reached up to halt the flow. Her eyes flickered open, a flash of fear in them as she saw the undead horde. Yet more fear spasmed across her face as she saw Darian, his fangs out, his mouth opening for a bite. Stop. He pulled back with a snarl. What am I doing? He¡¯d smelt her blood before, managed to hold back then. But something was different. And it wasn¡¯t just the amount of blood. Something inside him yearned for it even deeper than before. He needed it. Just a little. Just a little and I¡¯ll be done. He dropped to one knee and the girl scooted back, the wall greeting her. She brought a hand up to push him away, but he flicked it to the side. He gripped her other hand, her fingers slick with blood. This close he could almost taste it, and he licked his lips in anticipation. Flame erupted beside him, skeletons falling back from the spreading fire. Darian hissed and backed away, primal fear coursing through him. ¡°I can help,¡± came a voice followed by the rattling of chains. Darian blinked. The man was short, with thick arms and a balding head. He wore torn and dirty clothes, a purple bruise taking up half his face. Chains drug behind him, the ends sizzling from acid. ¡°I can help,¡± he repeated. The man who threw me the alchemist''s fire. Then he remembered everything. The cave, the armory, the battle with Valmier. Fria! He turned frantically, finding her against the wall, blood spreading around her. He reached down for her but stopped, his hunger once again consuming him. ¡°How?¡± Darian asked, facing the flames. They were the only thing keeping his mind off devouring her. Golden light flashed behind Darian, but he dared not look. One more glance was all it would take. He couldn¡¯t stop his thirst. ¡°I¡¯m an alchemist and a doctor,¡± the man said. ¡°I can brew a potion with the ingredients in that room, but you¡¯ll have to hold them back.¡± There had to be nearly a dozen of them now, with more coming up the stairs. And Darian was still wounded. His face burned, Valmier¡¯s flame spear and lighting having seared his flesh. And his body was covered in scratches and cuts, some of the wounds still bleeding. I need blood. His arms felt heavy, weak. And even if he was at full strength, this would be a tough fight. But blood would heal him. If I just drink some of it. His feet started to turn, but he grit his teeth and froze, his whole body straining, fighting against his hunger. ¡°Take her into the other room Now.¡± ¡°But I¡ª¡± ¡°Now!¡± Darian groaned, his insides twisting. ¡°You can¡¯t fight what you are.¡± Gershank¡¯s words once again replayed in his mind. But he couldn¡¯t let a monster like that be right. He held himself in place as the alchemist carried Fria across the room. Once he heard the door close, he moved to protect it. The center of the room still blazed with alchemical fire, but it was quickly fading. And over the simmering flames Darian watched the skeletons gather. Three rows of them filled the room now, some armored, others with bows. A few black robed mages stood in the back, their skeletal hands glowing as they prepared their spells. Feeling disgusted at himself, Darian lowered his stance. The fire sputtered out and the undead rattled forward, swords, arrows, and spells all aiming to take his life. But he wouldn¡¯t let them. He crashed into the first row, teeth barred, sword striking out. Bones shattered under his strikes, but they moved to surround him. Rolling under an arrow, Darian spun, the tip of his blade carving a flaming red arc through the air. A blast of ice smashed into his shoulder, and he stumbled, a sword slashing across his back the next second, his armor blunting the cut. He turned and smashed the skeleton¡¯s face in with the pommel of his sword. But each he cut down was soon replaced, and Darian was forced back, body growing weaker. Something lit up beneath the rubble. One of Valmier¡¯s swords. Darian blocked an overhead swing and kicked, sending the skeleton to crash against those behind it. He hacked out a leg and leaned down, fingers gripping the crumbling stone. Lifting, he threw the hunk of debris into the horde and snatched up the electrified blade.
Item Obtained: Radarian¡¯s Left Claw Weight: 6 pounds
He took Valmier¡¯s sword in his left hand and set to carving through the undead. Each strike came with the flash of heat or the arc of lightning. Bone exploded, turned to powder or sent flying through the air as splinters. Feeling the skill wear off, Darian reactivated [Bulwark] as he pressed forward. Wielding the two blades felt unnatural to him, and his weakened body made using them difficult. But he wasn¡¯t¡¯ using them as swords anymore. They were hunks of steel that crushed and smashed, each swing splitting the wave of undead. With both blades up, Darian knocked one blow wide and then hacked his way toward the archers and mages. One sent a shard of ice at his head, but he spun and pressed one of the beast¡¯s allies between him and the spell. It shattered against the skeleton¡¯s skull, and Darian took the creature¡¯s legs out with a slash from Sparkblade. He ducked under a spell and advanced, swords smashing aside all who stood in his way. Then the creatures parted, the trio of mages unleashing a wave of biting frost. It bore into Darian¡¯s flesh, slowing him. But he set his stance and aimed for the mage in the middle. Activating [Dash Strike], he burst through the air, both swords held high. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Each sword took one of the skeleton¡¯s arms off at the shoulder, and Darian kicked it in the chest, shattering it. Then he spun, weaved around another spell and took the next mage¡¯s head off. The last tried to flee behind its lesser comrades, but Darian batted them aside and killed it with two crunching blows to the chest. That left the archers. With fewer obstacles, their arrows flew through the air with increased accuracy. If Darian was at full strength, he could knock them from the air or dodge them. But he was too slow, and more than once an arrow narrowly missed him. Using the remaining crowd to his advantage, Darian weaved through them, using their bodies as a shield. As he closed the distance, the remaining skeleton warriors tried forming a barrier. With them in the way, he couldn¡¯t quite make it. Feeling desperation as his body began to slow even more, Darian put all his remaining strength in his legs. He jumped, vaulting over the row of warriors. The skeleton archers behind them aimed, their arrows ready to fly. Not being sure if it would work, Darian activated [Dash Strike] while midair. He flew down, his blades missing but his shoulder smashing the archer into the wall. He cut in down and ducked as a hail of arrows passed over him. But the creatures were slow to nock new arrows, and Darian ran along the back wall, his blades bursting them apart. As the last fell, he turned to face the remaining skeletons, a sea of bones now consuming the room. They collided, swords and shields coming at him from all sides. One strike slipped past his guard, but it was too weak, slid down his mail shirt harmlessly. But he was still losing blood from his other wounds, each moment his strength continuing to fade. Darian dropped Valmier¡¯s sword and gripped a shield. [Shocking Grasp] spread through the metal, the skeleton stunned long enough for Darian to behead it. The rest of the skeletons went down a similar way, Darian''s touch spells melting their defenses. Then, with a final burst of strength, Darian hacked down the last skeleton. He fell to one knee, his vision blurry, his body begging for blood. A mountain of bone lay scattered around him, the oval room now a graveyard. He tried to stand, but his body was drained. He slumped, legs buckling. Sticking his sword into the ground, he managed to force himself up. That¡¯s when he heard the voices. A man appeared in the shattered doorway. He was young but grim-faced, a short sword in his hand. He wore dark leather, the white symbol of a skeleton¡¯s grasping hand painted on the center. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± he said stepping into the room. More men followed, three like him, their eyes wide as they took in the carnage. The last man to enter was tall and wore black robes, his face covered by a skeletal mask. The crystal tip of his staff hummed with arcane power, purple light flickering from it as he walked. Humans. It was the most people Darian had seen since arriving in this world. He wanted to feel comforted by their presence, but all he felt was a deep hunger and a gnawing worry. ¡°Who are you? What happened here?¡± the tall man with the mask asked. His voice was soft but commanded authority. Darian leaned on his sword, eyes drooping, all his strength focused on keeping himself upright. ¡°Answer me.¡± The other men formed a half circle around Darian, keeping their distance. The shortest of the bunch, a young man with dirty blonde hair, crept forward. ¡°You tell him who you are, or we start carving.¡± Darian grimaced. ¡°Where is Valmier?¡± the masked man asked. Hearing the name sent a flash of heat through Darian¡¯s chest. He nodded at the corner where the hole was. ¡°Dead?¡± Darian nodded again. ¡°Who killed him?¡± ¡°Me,¡± Darian said, doing his best to stop wobbling. ¡°I killed him.¡± The masked man''s shoulders tensed. "Gadrin, search the rubble for proof." He peered over Darian''s shoulder. "Klein, check that room and seize anyone you find. He couldn''t have done this alone." Darian grit his teeth and took a half step forward, doing his best to block them. I can''t let them hurt Fria. Not after what I almost did. Worse, he worried what the smell of fresh blood beyond would do to him. "I...I can''t let you pass." The words were hollow, Darian''s voice weak. One of the men laughed. ¡°You? I don¡¯t know about that.¡± The short man darted forward, his boot catching Darian in the chest. He sprawled out, his wounds burning. One of the men moved past Darian as he attempted to rise. "Door''s locked," he said. The short man leaned over Darian and patted him over. "No keys on this one." The leader sighed. "Durin, use your axe and acid to break the door down." ¡°On it,¡± a big man said, an axe in his hands. ¡°Stop,¡± Darian said, clawing to his feet. Another kick sent him back down. ¡°Shut it red-eyes,¡± the short man turned to his leader. ¡°What should we do with this one? Looks near dead already, whatever he is.¡± Darian coughed, blood splattering the stone. ¡°We will keep him alive for now. If the deal falls through, Julius may have use for it. He will want answers." Darian looked up into the man¡¯s eyes, trying to appeal to his humanity. ¡°Stop, please." He didn''t know if he was asking them to stop because he feared what they would do, or if he feared what he would have to do to them if they didn''t listen. "Who are you? Why are you doing this?" Someone from behind Darian pressed a boot onto his back, and he flattened onto the ground. ¡°We had a deal with Valmier, and if he¡¯s dead, my master will be very displeased.¡± Darian could hear the masked man draw closer, his staff tapping the ground. ¡°But my master will ultimately decide what to do with you. But if all else fails, at least your corpse will be of use." He tapped his staff on the ground, the crystal flashing. "Pray you find him in a good mood." Heat flared in Darian''s chest, his hunger growing with so many humans this close. The short man suddenly seized Darian by the face. "What are you, anyways? Never seen your kind before. But you''ve got nice skin, well the bits that ain''t burned. Might fetch a good price back home." "Unhand him, Sarrel," their masked leader said. "I will not ask you again." Sarrel let go of Darian''s face and backed away. "Someone''s definitely on the other side," the man with the axe said. "Can hear them shuffling about." The leader tapped his staff on the ground. "Take them prisoner if you can, but kill them if they prove too much trouble. We''re already weighed down enough as it is. I won''t risk a knife in the back." No. Would Fria even be able to walk? What would they do to her? "We haven¡¯t done anything to you." ¡°You might have ruined a very lucrative deal, and that¡¯s enough.¡± The masked man nodded, turning his attention to the locked door. Another man went for the door. ¡°Stop,¡± Darian said, his plea ignored. The door clanged, metal on metal, something sizzling after. They''ll kill her. "Please," he begged. "I won''t let you." He tried to rise, but a boot pressed him to the floor. He looked up again, desperately searching for a single sympathetic eye in the whole group. He found none. Something deep inside Darian crumbled. Something he¡¯d been fighting against this entire time. He tried to reason with them, to speak to them person to person. But he wasn¡¯t human anymore. Hadn¡¯t been for a while. But it was more than that. The hunger, the delicious scent of Fria''s blood. It never left him. Not during the battle, not even when he was forced to the ground. It disgusted him, but all he wanted to do now was bleed these men dry, if only to sate his thirst. ¡°You can¡¯t fight what you are.¡± He was so tired of fighting it. His stomach grumbled, his throat ran dry. I won¡¯t fight what you said anymore, Gershank. I¡¯m too tired to resist any longer. He stared into the eyes of the men before him. So much malice, and for what? His body grew cold, something primal taking control. If they weren¡¯t going to listen to him, then he wasn¡¯t going to pretend they were anything other than food. Chapter 28 - Slaughter Alaric tapped his staff on the ground. He really needed to stop doing that. His men would eventually catch on to his nervous tick, and he had enough issues with them already. Especially Sarrel. I¡¯ll have to talk to Julius about him. He tapped his staff on the ground again. His antics have brought me nothing but trouble. The Lich cult had once been powerful, their members comprised of the best necromancers in Lonelen. But then the Justiciar¡¯s and their holy war with the demons had started. Everything occult had to be purged after that, and that included them. The rabble of ungifted men before him were a testament to the times. Not even a single one could raise the dead. But maybe with time, one could develop the skill. Until then, he was stuck with them. He tapped his staff on the ground. And what a fine mess we¡¯ve found ourselves in. Valmier was most likely dead, buried under rubble or blown to bits judging by the massive hole in the wall. Alaric still had his doubts the man before him could have done it. Valmier was powerful, stronger than Alaric himself, despite his years of training. But there is a strange aura to this man. Alaric glanced at the battered figure on the ground. His body was covered in cuts and bruises, his chain shirt torn and smeared with blood. One side of his face was seared off, but yet he still writhed under Klein¡¯s boot. What am I to do with you? He reached up and scratched at his face, his mask of bone seeming to grow tighter the longer he waited. Durin was still working on the locked door, his acid enhanced axe battering the hinges. Wouldn¡¯t be long until it burst open. I just hope there¡¯s no screaming. He couldn¡¯t handle screams anymore, not since the Justicars burnt down his home. Even thinking about it sent a chill to his bones, and he tugged on his mask, the scarred flesh beneath burning from a memory. ¡°I will only ask one more time,¡± the man on the ground said. ¡°Let us go.¡± This one is persistent. ¡°We can¡¯t do that.¡± Even if Alaric wanted nothing more than to return home emptyhanded, he had his orders. Valmier and Alaric¡¯s master had plans, and those plans were in jeopardy now. Valmier was their intermediary and without him the Lich cult had no one to deliver their messages to Grave Lord Victoria. ¡°My master will want to question you.¡± Alaric didn¡¯t know why he was bothering to explain himself. But maybe part of him pitied the strange man. He had that despaired, fearful look in his eyes. Like a cornered animal. And Alaric had seen enough Justicars to know this man wasn¡¯t one of them. But he¡¯d killed Valmier, and that unfortunately made him an enemy. The door crashed to the stone, Durin raising a palm at the person on the other side. ¡°Drop that vial!¡± There was a man on the other side, though Alaric had a hard time making him out. There was also a crumpled shape on the ground beside him, their fur armor stained red. It appears these are this man¡¯s allies. He looked to the wounded man. Perhaps he can convince his friends to stand down. But something was wrong with him. His head twisted to the side, his nostrils flaring. He was looking through the open doorway, his eyes wide. He sniffed the air, his body twitching. ¡°What¡¯s gotten into him?¡± Klein said, pressing his boot down harder. ¡°Settle down.¡± ¡°Drop that vial or I¡¯ll melt your bones!¡± ¡°Stop squirming,¡± Sarrel said, drawing his knife. The man on the ground writhed, something like a growl coming from him. ¡°Drop it!¡± ¡°Stop moving or I¡¯ll get to carving.¡± Sarrel squatted, grabbing the white-haired man¡¯s face. ¡°Someone give me a hand,¡± Klein asked, head swiveling. Alaric tapped his staff on the ground. ¡°Finally understood?¡± Sarrel pressed the flat of his knife to the wounded man¡¯s cheek. He stopped squirming, his face shifting from horror to anger, then back again. Alaric stepped forward. ¡°Sarrel, I told you I would not¡ª¡± The man on the ground jerked up and Sarrel screamed. He spat, blood running down his chin, two of Sarrel¡¯s fingers bouncing along the ground. ¡°You bastard!¡± Sarrel raised his knife. From the shadows came swarms of oily, black shapes. They flew through the air, engulfing Alaric¡¯s men one after another. They cried out, the small shapes biting into them, blood seeping from dozens of tiny wounds. Are those bats? Alaric cast [Energy Shield] on himself, the black shapes disappearing as they slammed into the shell of blue. Klein yelled as the man beneath him twisted his head to face him, black bats appearing from behind him. They swarmed over him, and the man beneath his boot shot to his feet, his muscles tensed, his nose twitching as he sniffed. He looked at Alaric, and the necromancer stepped back. His crimson eyes narrowed to harsh slits. He snarled, his face all hard edges, animalistic fervor in his jerking limbs. Then he opened his mouth, his teeth glistening red as two fangs emerged. Alaric raised his palm and cast [Fire Bolt]. The ball of fire shot forward and struck the man''s shoulder, turning his armor black and searing his face. But the beast pressed on, and so Alaric took another back step and dropped into a defensive stance, his staff charging with negative energy. This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. The swarms vanished, and Sarrel lunged with his knife. But the fanged man was too fast, he stepped to the side and then grabbed Sarrel by his leather vest. Sarrel¡¯s scream split the air the next second, cut silent as fangs tore into his throat. He jerked, body spasming as the beast pulled free, Sarrel¡¯s neck spurting blood. And the man''s burnt faced healed right before Alaric''s eyes, the damage his spell had done vanishing. ¡°Klein!¡± Gadrin cried as the creature let Sarrel¡¯s body drop. Klein raised his axe and backed away, but it was on him too fast. Its left palm pressed into his stomach, purple energy flowing from Klein and into the creature¡¯s body. Klein grimaced and swung his axe, the creature jumping back just in time. Then Durin was on it, a splash of acid catching the creature on the arm. It cried out, veins on its neck surging as it snarled. Just a moment longer. Alaric¡¯s staff was nearly done charging, they just needed to hold out for a little longer. Another splash of acid flew toward the beast, but its shield of blood caught the spell. It dove under an axe swing, then pressed its right hand into Durin¡¯s stomach. He screamed as acid from the man¡¯s hand melted right through his armor and began eating at his flesh. But fangs found his throat the next second and his cries turned into hushed gurgles. ¡°Klein, Gadrin, to me!¡± Alaric shouted, his staff finally ready. He¡¯d underestimated the creature, and now two of his men were dead. But this will end it. ¡°Gadrin, slow it when it gets close. I¡¯ll do the rest.¡± The beast snarled as it released Durin. The big man¡¯s body hit the ground, his face ashen, drained of all life. The creature¡¯s chest glistened red as it turned, eyes still narrowed in animalistic hunger, its wounds mending. Alaric tapped his staff on the ground. It charged, faster than he anticipated. But Gadrin still managed to cast [Minor Slow] on it, stifling its advance. Alaric thrust the tip of his staff forward, the third tier negative energy spell [Void Bolt] exploding forth. It collided with the creature¡¯s chest, tendrils of negative energy spiraling out, the room flashing deep purple. But the beast kept coming. It had no effect? Alaric raised his arm, a ball of flame hurtling out in a desperate attempt to halt the monster. But a disk of blood appeared, blood seeping from around Sarrel¡¯s corpse to fuel it. The shield blocked Alaric¡¯s spell, then the beast was on them. Klein stepped in with his axe, the swing fearful and off balance. The creature simply took a half step back before rushing in, its hands transforming into furred claws that raked across Klein¡¯s stomach, splitting him open. Gadrin chopped down with his short sword, but it thudded against the monster¡¯s chainmail, the blow too weak. And before Alaric could cast another spell, the beast had its fangs dug into Gadrin¡¯s throat. Alaric stumbled back as Gadrin¡¯s sword fell to meet the bone scattered ground. Klein slid down the wall beside him, his hands trying to stop his guts from spilling out. Alaric sucked in a breath, his mask suffocating him. And then he ran. The sounds of ripping flesh came from the room above, Alaric¡¯s heart pounding in his ears as he ran down the stairs. He gripped the pendant under his robe, the necromantic power within pulsing. The corpse they were to deliver would make a powerful undead, and with the power in his pendant, Alaric could raise it. Doing so would go against his orders, but it was a last resort. He had to do something or that beast would kill them all. He pushed through an arched doorway and stepped outside, the stars above bright, lighting his path. Down a flight of stairs, he made it to the courtyard before the gate. The coffin and the men he left to guard it would be just around the corner. But then he smelled the smoke, and his heart dropped into his stomach. The coffin was burning, his men¡¯s bodies scattered about it, arrows jutting from a few of their corpses. Alaric took a step, bone snapping under his boot. What happened here? The undead and the living lay silent on the ground, their bodies crushed and burned by arcane flame. But Alaric had seen this before. Justicars. He looked about frantically, noticing the door leading to the center of the fort was open, the black armor of a defeated Death Knight nearby. Then he noticed the sky. It should have been darker, muted by the Nether Gates presence. But it was clear, silver clouds lit by the stars clearly visible. Someone has destroyed it. A whistling split the air, and Alaric spun. The arrow hit him on the shoulder, the armor beneath his robes blunting the strike. But he stumbled, just barely able to keep from falling over. Then from the shadows came a short man in the armor of a paladin, his mace glowing with holy light. A young archer stood not far behind him, another arrow already nocked. Alaric grit his teeth, cast [Veil of Mist], and ran the other direction. *** Fria opened her eyes. ¡°Where¡­¡± she looked about. The room was dimly lit, sparse candles flickering here and there. Books, vials and containers littered the walls, dusty shelves bursting with various plants giving the room an earthy scent. But something else mingled with it, something pungent that sent her stomach twisting. She raised her head, but her midsection burned, the flesh pulling as if it was too tight. Then she remembered the battle. ¡°Don¡¯t move so quickly, you¡¯ll ruin my stitching.¡± A short man squatted beside her, his hands covered in a dozen different smudged colors. ¡°Who are you?¡± She sat up, biting back the pain. ¡°A prisoner until not long ago. Can you walk? We must leave this place.¡± He looked over his shoulder to the yawning doorway, bright starlight flooding in from a massive hole in the fort¡¯s wall. ¡°What happened?¡± She remembered fighting, her unique skill hitting Valmier. Then nothing. ¡°Where is Darian?¡± The short man rubbed his hands together nervously. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± She leaned to the side and peered around him. The room beyond was decorated red. The bodies of several men lay on the ground, entrails and blood splattered over a horde of bones. ¡°Help me to my feet,¡± she asked. The man hooked her under the arm and together they limped into the room. She stared at the bodies, their faces twisted in agony and horror. ¡°Did Darian do this?¡± A memory came to her, fleeting and blurry, of his face hovering close to hers, his fangs out. ¡°Your friend slaughtered them,¡± the man said, his face growing pale. ¡°Then he ran into the night. But he didn¡¯t look well.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± she asked. ¡°Like he was conflicted, almost fighting himself. He came to the room and just stood in the door staring at you, then he took to the stairs and disappeared.¡± ¡°We have to find him,¡± she said, grunting as a new wave of pain cut into her. ¡°First we need to find somewhere safe.¡± He gave her a worried onceover. ¡°You¡¯re lucky to be alive. I wouldn¡¯t push it.¡± But she couldn¡¯t leave him out there. ¡°I¡¯ll rest first, but as soon as I recover, I¡¯m going to look for him.¡± She looked into the sky beyond, the sun teasing the horizon, worry and doubt creeping into her heart. Chapter 29 - Monster Darian slid down the hill, his blood slick arms cool in the night air. Darkness still dominated the sky, but the scent of morning accented the air, driving Darian¡¯s feet faster. He fled the fort for reasons he wasn¡¯t sure of himself. He just knew he needed to get away, find a place to calm his scattered thoughts. What about Fria? He¡¯d left her in the care of a stranger. But he wasn¡¯t confident he could control himself. His hunger was sated, but for how long? And now that he¡¯d had his fill, the thought of drinking lesser blood disgusted him. He could still taste the sweetness on his tongue, feel the heat in his throat.
Enemies Defeated Valmier Lv. 16 Bonus - Rival¡¯s Companion killed: + 50 Class XP [Skeletons Lv. 1-4] x22 [Humans Lv. 3-6] x4 Class XP gained: 268 [Class Level 7 Reached] Progress to Class Lv. 8 (84/300)
He ignored the notification for now, stopping as he leapt over a stream. Where do I go? He was too far from the ruined temple to make it there before sunrise. The idea of returning to the fort entered his mind, but he rejected it. He''d seen the burning coffin near the gate, the signs of battle. And he''d caught a whiff of Carver''s scent in the air. If he was at the fort, Jorg was most likely with him. They probably wouldn''t do anything to harm Fria, but Darian was a different story. No, he couldn''t return there, at least not yet. But I have to find somewhere, and soon. With his map open he decided to return to the cave Fria had discovered. It connected to the fort, but he hoped he could find a dark place within to not only rest, but to think. It didn¡¯t take long for him to arrive at the cave. The bones of its skeletal guards scattered the ground, but Zan was nowhere to be seen. ¡°Zan!¡± Darian called to no response. Where could the wolf have gone? But he didn¡¯t have time to think about it. The canopy above lit up, the first breath of morning sun teasing the branches. He sprinted into the cave, listening for signs of movement. When he was certain nothing awaited him, he pushed deeper inside. He crept along in the dark until he met one of the side paths that he knew went nowhere. It was far from perfect, but the spot would have to do. He pressed his back to the stone and slid down, a flickering torch outside the tunnel sending dancing shadows across the ground. Alone and in silence, he fought off the sleep trying to claim him. His heart still thrummed with power, the fresh blood coursing through his veins electrifying. But what have I done? He¡¯d killed people now, and there was no going back from that. Focusing on it, he expected to feel disgust at his actions. He¡¯d had to kill plenty since he came to this world, but never humans. Turning his blade against monsters was just what he had to do. And yet, when he thought about the men he killed, he felt nothing. I had to do it. He¡¯d already decided back when he first met Valmier that he would never be anyone¡¯s prisoner. And they would have most likely killed Fria. No, he didn¡¯t regret killing them. They¡¯d given him no choice. They were still people. But they weren¡¯t innocent. But does that give me the right to kill them? Then he remembered the way he killed them. After fully giving into his hunger, the battle became a blur. But he remembered fragments¡ªterrified faces, screams as his fangs met flesh, the relief of his thirst being quenched. But it didn¡¯t make him feel sick like he expected. If anything, thinking about the slaughter sent a satisfied rumble through his stomach. What¡¯s wrong with me? He wasn¡¯t happy about what¡¯d he¡¯d done, but he also felt no shame in it. Numbness crept in as he cradled his head in his hands. I killed someone. He repeated it to himself over and over, but he felt no response. ¡°I killed someone.¡± The sound of his own voice echoed. But even admitting out loud what¡¯d he¡¯d done did not stir his heart. Maybe it wasn¡¯t only his body that changed, but his soul? He¡¯d experienced plenty so far that would have shattered the old Darian. But maybe he was always like this. He¡¯d spent so much of his life tucked away, did he even really know who he was? What was it that I even wanted from life? His cancer had robbed him of any goal besides survival, but there was something he wanted to do, wasn¡¯t there? Some dream that kept him going through all the hard days and nights. A goal that pushed him on for ten years. But nothing came to mind. He slumped against the wall. He¡¯d killed four men, tore their guts and throats out and drank his fill. Anyone who saw that would rightly call him a monster. And I almost did that to Fria. Thinking about her sent a cold pang through his chest. What would she think of him now? Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. In the end, he leaned his head against the wall and welcomed sleep. Perhaps when he woke his thoughts would make more sense. Until then, he was thankful for the oblivion of slumber. *** Darian woke slowly, his eyes fluttering open. He rose and worked his way back through the cave, listening for the rattle of bone. When he emerged, he checked his HP, finding that he¡¯d almost made a full recovery. The battles of the previous night played through his mind, one after another. Yet he still felt no sorrow at killing those men. What do I do now? He wanted to find Fria and ensure she was safe. But he had no idea where to start searching, or if finding her was even a good idea. He¡¯d been so close to tearing into her, and she¡¯d seen it. He¡¯d pushed her hand away, his hunger overwhelming. The thought of facing her frightened him, and he began aimlessly walking into the forest. He didn¡¯t get far before he heard something rushing through the underbrush. He¡¯d left his enchanted sword behind when he fled the fort, and so he pulled a lesser blade from his inventory. Dropping into a low stance, Darian readied himself to face the charging beast. ¡°Zan?¡± Darian cocked his head to the side as the massive wolf slid to a halt, his nose twitching. As soon as Zan saw him, he reared back and howled. The sound startled Darian, and he stumbled back, his foot catching a root. As he went to rise, Zan pushed him down, his rough tongue lapping at Darian¡¯s cheek. ¡°Where were you?¡± he asked, pushing the wolf off him. Zan barked and nudged Darian¡¯s hand. He pet the wolf while he peered into the darkness. It was then that he heard the footsteps approaching, and he realized. ¡°Fria.¡± She limped into the starlight, her fur armor gone, replaced by a leather vest and a thick wool shirt. She smiled when she saw him. ¡°Good work Zan,¡± she said, stepping closer. ¡°I¡¯ll have to thank that pigheaded paladin for healing me. Never would have found you so fast otherwise.¡± Darian backed away. Though it was covered, he could still smell her wound. ¡°I¡­¡± the words caught in his throat. Zan padded over to her, and she scratched him between the ears. ¡°The alchemist, Gustan, he told me what you did.¡± Darian couldn¡¯t look at her. He could only imagine how the scene was described. ¡°And he told me you ran after you killed them.¡± She took another step. ¡°Why did you run?¡± He finally looked up at her, expecting disgust to paint her features. But she just looked concerned. ¡°I was afraid,¡± Darian admitted. ¡°I almost hurt you.¡± ¡°But you didn¡¯t.¡± She was close now. ¡°And what you did to those men¡ª¡± ¡°I¡¯m a monster.¡± He didn¡¯t want to admit it, but it was true. ¡°Not for killing them, that for good or ill I don¡¯t regret. But I tore them apart. Drank their blood as they screamed.¡± Fria just stood looking at him a while, Zan squatting by her side. ¡°And?¡± Darian blinked. ¡°Would gutting them with your sword or burning them with your spells have been better?¡± ¡°But I lost myself to the hunger. I''m not sure can I be trusted to resist it again. Not after what I did.¡± Darian gritted his teeth, his chest suddenly tight. ¡°Twice now you¡¯ve overcome it and both for my sake.¡± She cupped her hands together. ¡°You told me you¡¯re a thing called a vampire, a creature that¡¯s considered a monster back in the world you come from?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°But no one, not Jorg or the undead have heard of something like you. Do you know what that means?¡± Darian shook his head. ¡°What are you saying?¡± ¡°You might be the only vampire in this world. And that means the only person who gets to decide if vampires are monsters is you. You and your actions.¡± She smiled. ¡°You¡¯ve protected me, saved that fool Carver, and even if it was only by circumstance, you saved Gustan. And now you¡¯re helping stop a necromancer that would see my home burn. That doesn¡¯t sound very monstrous to me.¡± Darian opened his mouth to protest but Fria hushed him with a stern glance. ¡°And those men forced you to kill them. You were beaten and tired, and you already lost so much blood¡­Yes you killed them brutally, but did you enjoy it? Did you revel in their slaughter? If you didn''t, then I don''t think you should start calling yourself a monster.¡± ¡°But I enjoyed draining them,¡± Darian said, taking a back step to lean against a tree. ¡°And my body still hungers. What will happen the next time I run across humans? Will I be able to control my thirst?¡± ¡°What, do I not count?¡± She smirked. ¡°You¡¯re not human anymore, Darian. You need to accept that. But not being human doesn¡¯t make you a monster. You can learn to control your thirst, I know you can.¡± Darian shook his head. ¡°Why have so much faith in me? We only met a short while ago. What gives you such confidence? Why even risk yourself for me?¡± She looked to the ground. ¡°Do you remember the man I told you about, my father¡¯s friend who was half demon? Well, his father was a demon of rage. That meant Feydrian had a bit of a temper. Father told me when Feydrian was younger even the slightest of things would set him off. But when I met him, he was the calmest person I ever knew.¡± She looked up, her eyes and Darian¡¯s matching. ¡°He fought against his nature and won. That means you can too. You are you, not whatever monster you¡¯ve conjured up in that thick head. You can control yourself. Hells, you¡¯re doing it right now. And as for why I''m risking myself? Well, I couldn''t save Feydrian or my father. But I can still help you. And for me, that''s enough." Darian swallowed, his mouth dry. He wasn¡¯t sure what to say. ¡°Okay.¡± Fria crossed her arms over her chest, a sly smile playing on her lips. ¡°We should head back to Gustan and the others. They¡¯re making plans on destroying the next Nether Gate.¡± Darian pulled himself from the tree, her words just now registering. ¡°What do you mean others?¡± Chapter 30 - The Society ¡°Others?¡± Darian repeated. ¡°They¡¯re friends of the alchemist,¡± Fria explained. ¡°Held prisoner like him.¡± ¡°And you freed them?¡± With the condition she was in, Darian figured there had to be more to the story. ¡°I didn¡¯t.¡± She crossed her arms. ¡°We ran into Jorg and Carver in the fort. They destroyed the Nether Gate while you dealt with those men. They¡¯re the ones who freed the rest of the prisoners.¡± Dealt with. She makes it sound so casual. ¡°I suppose I should be thankful they destroyed the gate, but Jorg¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, he and Carver trounced off not long after the sun rose. They¡¯re headed for the Nether Gate in the west. Good news is Jorg doesn¡¯t think you and the undead are allies anymore.¡± ¡°But he still thinks I¡¯m some abomination to be purged?¡± She nodded. ¡°In a sense. But he agreed to keep all purging halted until the necromancer is dealt with. Though we decided to keep the two of you separate, just in case.¡± Darian dug his boot into the ground. ¡°I don¡¯t know, Fria. Being around people. I know you said I can get better, that I can control this thirst. But isn¡¯t this too soon? What if I lose control? And my need for blood and my aversion to sunlight, what will these new friends of yours think about that?¡± She shrugged. ¡°You¡¯d have a point if these were regular folk, but lucky for you, they¡¯re a rather¡­colorful bunch. You¡¯ll see.¡± She motioned for him to follow. ¡°And if you don¡¯t like them or start to feel uncomfortable, we can leave. But you have to at least try. You won¡¯t get any better hiding in the woods.¡± Darian looked down at his bloodstained chainmail. ¡°If you¡¯re sure¡­¡± ¡°I am. Now c¡¯mon, we¡¯re burning starlight.¡± Darian gave Zan a defeated glance and then the two of them followed Fria deeper into the forest. He opened his menu as he walked, inspecting his class selection screen. I gained another class level, but what do I put it in? Putting more levels in warrior would start to unlock advanced martial classes like Berserker and Vanguard. But level four for warrior only came with extra stat increases and no new skills. Spellblade¡¯s level two spell [Frost Touch] wouldn¡¯t be good against the undead, but if¡­when he fought more people, it could be useful. I should probably start being more selective with these. All the classes he could see maxed out at level ten, but so did his race level. So, if level one hundred is the max, I can only complete nine classes in total. There was also his quest reward for destroying all the Nether Gates, the unique class [Blood Squire]. It didn¡¯t take a genius to guess the class would probably synergize with his vampire abilities. His magic damage scaled off his Arcane stat, but his race level hadn¡¯t increased that when it went up. But he did like the utility of having offensive spells, plus [Arcane Blade] was his most damaging ability. But what¡¯s the right choice? Ultimately, he decided to put his level into Mage. A level there would give him the spell [Flame Spear]. He couldn¡¯t be completely sure, but that had to be the spell both Valmier and Adenion used against him. It hit hard, but importantly exploited one of the undead¡¯s weaknesses. [Flare] and [Shard] were too weak to offer Darian much ranged firepower, but he hoped this new spell would give him more options.
Mage Lv.3
Are you sure? (Yes)(No)
He hesitantly hit (Yes).
Flame Spear Range: 120 feet
Character Sheet Name: Darian Total Level: 9 Current Class XP 84/300 Current Race XP 61/75 Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. Race: Lesser Vampire Race Level: 2 Class Level: 7 HP: 168/180 Attributes [Unique Skills] [Racial Skills] [Class Skills] [Triumphs] [Traits]
After he dismissed his character sheet, a new notification appeared.
New class unlocked: Necromancer
I guess I received that for hitting mage level three? But he didn¡¯t remember it being a branching option from mage. He was about to investigate further when he spotted light ahead. ¡°And she returns,¡± said a gruff voice. ¡°Find this savior of yours?¡± Darian stepped into the firelight, three sets of eyes falling on him. The first belonged to a man with pointed ears and greenish skin. He sat atop a stump, sharpening his axe with a grindstone, grinning at Darian, two tusk-like teeth protruding from his bottom lip. His hair was black and ran along the top of his head in a unruly strip, ending in a tight knot. The next person stood over the others, tall and thin. An elf. She wore a dark red coat, the buttons of the vest beneath gleaming. Her ears were extremely long and sharply tipped, and her blonde hair fell in streaks across her olive-colored skin. Her right hand was covered in a dirty white glove, the other hand stiff and wrapped in bandages. She gave Darian a nod as he approached, her three-sided hat nearly tipping from her head. The third person to stoop around the fire was the alchemist. Darian still needed to thank him for his help with Valmier, and more importantly, what he did for Fria. ¡°Hello,¡± he said timidly. Fria stepped to the side, Zan right behind her. ¡°Didn¡¯t take long to find,¡± the green-skinned man said, picking at his teeth with his sharp fingernails. He looked up at Darian. ¡°You¡¯d better be worth it. I lost sleep for this.¡± ¡°Leave the poor boy alone,¡± the elf woman said, giving Darian a scrutinizing glance. ¡°I will be the judge of his worth.¡± ¡°That¡¯s Gorm,¡± the alchemist Gustan said, nodding at the man with the tusks. ¡°And this is Harper, our leader. Sorry for their lack of manners. It¡¯s been a rough couple of days.¡± ¡°Rough he says.¡± Gorm laughed. ¡°Hounded by Wargs and thrown into dungeons by the undead. And then we¡¯re abandoned by one of our own. That¡¯s a little more than just rough.¡± Gustan sighed. ¡°Like I told you, I thought I was the only survivor. They were using me to brew potions. I had no idea they kept the rest of you alive.¡± Then he mumbled, "Or why they would, in your case." ¡°And what¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± Gorm frowned, his tusks pressing into his cheeks. ¡°Enough already. We can discuss this later,¡± Harper said, stepping forward. ¡°As Gustan said, I am Harper and that is Gorm. Pleasure to make your acquaintance.¡± She reached her hand forward, and Darian gave it an awkward shake. ¡°And who are you people? What are you doing here?¡± Darian kept flicking his eyes at Gorm, the man¡¯s strange appearance drawing away his attention. ¡°We are from The Society, the Vizzera branch specifically. As for why we are here? Well, that is only for members of The Society to know. But from what your friend tells me, we share a similar goal.¡± Harper raised her wounded hand toward Fria. ¡°And you should thank her. I wanted to be away from this place, but she convinced me you could be useful to us.¡± ¡°Useful to you?¡± Darian didn¡¯t exactly like where this was going. ¡°Yes. But this would be mutually beneficial. We in The Society believe in fair trade. You have information we want, and we have skills that could aid you in return.¡± Harper smiled, the motion artificial, practiced. ¡°You want this necromancer gone, and this so happens to align with our objective. I propose a temporary partnership.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Having more help could be useful, but could he trust these people? ¡°I¡¯ve seen you fight,¡± Gustan said. ¡°We need more fighters if we¡¯re to complete this job. And I took as many ingredients as I could carry from the fort. I can keep you and your friend patched up with potions. Plus, I have more of that alchemist¡¯s fire.¡± He did save Fria, risking his own life in the process. But he wasn¡¯t convinced by the other two. ¡°You say you can help me, but how can I trust you?¡± The question seemed to offend Harper, who scoffed at the question. ¡°Your friend told me you are from somewhere far away, but surely you know of The Society''s reputation?¡± Darian shrugged. ¡°Never heard of you.¡± Her shoulders sagged. ¡°We are an organization of adventures for hire.¡± ¡°Mercenaries,¡± Gorm added. She cut her eyes at him, and he quickly turned away. ¡°As I was saying, we are an organization of adventurers. We take jobs of all kinds, but the important thing is that we always honor our deals. If we promise to help you, then help you we shall.¡± She took her hat off and placed it against her chest. ¡°I, Harper Tel-vazere, do swear to uphold all parts of any pact, bargain, deal, or partnership I and the present individual do come to agree on. I swear this on my honor as a member of The Society and as a proud woman of the Vizzeran house of Treaties and Charters.¡± She placed her hat back atop her head with practiced flair. ¡°Damn, chief must be desperate,¡± Gorm mumbled. ¡°Even took her hat off and everything.¡± Harper smiled again, this one a little more sincere. ¡°So, Darian, is it?" She broadened her shoulders and straightened her back. "What say we make a deal?¡± Chapter 31 - Joining Forces Darian took a step back from Harper. ¡°I need to discuss this with my friend first.¡± Harper tutted but then shrugged her shoulders. ¡°Have at it then, but do try and make this quick. We all have rather important business to attend to.¡± With a wave of his hand, Fria followed Darian away from the small campfire. Zan stayed close, the wolf¡¯s nose low to the ground, twitching as he sniffed for prey. When Darian was sure the three Society members couldn¡¯t hear them, he stopped. ¡°How much have you told them?¡± ¡°Not a lot. But when I discovered they could make allies, I convinced them to stay until I found you. Gustan also pitched in. He saw our fight with Valmier and what you did after.¡± ¡°He saw that¡­and he wants my help?¡± ¡°I told you, they¡¯re a colorful bunch. But this isn¡¯t your home, Darian. Anyone who can kill like you is valuable. The world is dangerous, and that means you need dangerous people. Especially with what we¡¯re trying to do.¡± She had a point. ¡°Well, that means they already know a bit about my thirst.¡± Fria nodded. ¡°Gustan explained what he could to them, and I only added where necessary. Gorm seemed rather pleased with the discussion.¡± ¡°What is he?¡± Darian asked. He had his guesses, but he wanted to be sure. ¡°A half-orc,¡± Fria explained. ¡°Technically considered a half monster in Lonelen, but the people of Vizzera don¡¯t worship Argus or the pantheon. They¡¯re a little more open-minded.¡± Darian recalled the night he told Fria he was a vampire. She¡¯d recommended he go to Vizzera once the necromancer was defeated. ¡°And The Society, are they as renowned as Harper says?¡± ¡°They are. But I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve realized they can¡¯t exactly be trusted. They¡¯re not necessarily bad people, but they¡¯ll do just about all they can to drain you of coin or labor.¡± Businessmen. ¡°What do you think? Can we trust them enough to help us?¡± ¡°They¡¯re at least against the necromancer, but I couldn¡¯t get Harper to tell me what they¡¯re really after.¡± Fria shrugged. ¡°In the end, it¡¯s your call. I¡¯ll follow your lead.¡± Darian gripped his chin. If they were already fighting the same opponent, they could make temporary allies. And the fort had been difficult. Luck more than anything saw them through their fight with Valmier. The necromancer¡¯s base would probably be even harder to penetrate. It was difficult to admit, but they could use the help. ¡°I also told her you know where the Nether Gates are,¡± Fria added. ¡°That¡¯s about all we have to bargain with.¡± Darian nodded. ¡°It will be enough.¡± He walked back toward the sputtering fire. Gorm had finished sharpening his axe and was inspecting the edge when they approached. ¡°Done?¡± he asked, laying the hunk of metal across his lap. ¡°I sure hope you and the chief come to an agreement. From what Gustan tells me, you¡¯re a real terror in a fight.¡± ¡°Something like that,¡± Darian looked about. ¡°Where are Harper and Gustan?¡± Gorm nodded across the fire. ¡°You¡¯re not the only who has doubts.¡± He sighed. ¡°Chief doesn¡¯t like making deals when she isn¡¯t in complete control. Truth is, she¡¯s panicking about how to get this job done.¡± ¡°Why are you telling me this?¡± Darian leaned against a tree, Fria squatting to pet Zan beside him. ¡°I like seeing her thrown off balance from time to time.¡± Gorm smiled, his rows of sharp yellowed teeth bright in the firelight. ¡°And we need help. I¡¯m not saying outright that you should trust us, that¡¯s earned with blood and sweat. But I am saying why not take the help you¡¯re offered? The tribe that fights alone dies alone and all that nonsense.¡± He spat into the fire. ¡°Help with strings attached,¡± Fria chimed in. ¡°Aye, but that¡¯s just the way The Society operates. Take it up with the high council, not me.¡± Gorm relaxed, patting the wide blade of his axe. ¡°We lost four people to this job already, and I¡¯ll not see another fall. Even if the chief is too prideful to admit we need help, I¡¯m not.¡± He looked up, eyes two points of darkness in a harsh face. ¡°The chief likes to have all the answers, but you weren¡¯t accounted for in her plans. Use that to your advantage. Because you need our help, too. Your little friend said you¡¯re after this bastard of a necromancer. And the only other allies you¡¯re to find out here is that scared boy and his Justicar friend.¡± He said Justicar with a slight growl, his eyes narrowing. ¡°And I doubt you¡¯d get along.¡± If only you knew. ¡°You make good points, but let¡¯s see what your leader has to say.¡± At about that time, Harper and Gustan came through the foliage. Darian noted that he couldn¡¯t hear Harper move. Her steps fell silently on the ground, and even her breath was muted. Is she using some kind of skill for that? She stopped opposite the fire, her good hand falling to her hip. ¡°So,¡± she said, chin upturned. ¡°What say you now? Is a deal amenable or will you prance off into the night to do your bloody work alone?¡± Gorm glanced up at Darian, a knowing look in his eyes. ¡°We clearly could use each other¡¯s help,¡± Darian said, making sure to speak clearly, his shoulders proud. ¡°But I don¡¯t trust you.¡± Harper smiled. ¡°Good instincts. But so long as we¡¯re being truthful, I do not trust you either. You are an unknown factor, and I make it a point to keep unknowns at a great distance.¡± ¡°But not Fria?¡± Darian motioned toward his friend. ¡°You still have her pretty close.¡± Gorm had said Darian wasn¡¯t accounted for in Harper¡¯s plans. Did that mean she knew about Fria and her group prior to arriving? And if she knew that, what else did she know? ¡°She assisted in rescuing my dear friend Gustan. She has earned my trust.¡± She gave Fria a quick smile, but her expression remained blank. Darian narrowed his eyes. ¡°You don¡¯t strike me as the type to trust anyone.¡± Gorm nodded. ¡°Gustan said it¡¯s been a rough couple of days. That means you arrived in this forest after the Justicars did, correct?¡± Harper cut her eyes at Gustan, the man shrinking away. ¡°What are you trying to say?¡± ¡°That you know more than you¡¯re letting on.¡± ¡°I saw when Jorg freed you from that cell,¡± Fria said, eyes staring at the ground, lost in recollection. ¡°I was half delirious from the pain still, but you didn¡¯t seem all that shocked to see a Justicar at the fort.¡± ¡°Justicars get up to all kinds of odd business. Why would seeing one in their own country be a shock to anyone?¡± ¡°Did you know the Justicars had come to this forest?¡± Darian asked. ¡°Fria told me she convinced you to wait around for me, but were you motivated by her words or were you just curious to see this unknown factor?¡± The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Harper went to say something but then stopped, her bad hand waving dismissively in the air. ¡°I know only what I¡¯m told, and I was told you¡¯d be of great assistance to us. Is that still true?¡± ¡°Maybe,¡± Darian said, studying Harper¡¯s face. ¡°But if we¡¯re going to work together, you have to tell me a few things first.¡± Harper scoffed. ¡°Not how that works, boy. I make the demands.¡± ¡°Back home you might, but you¡¯re in the thick of it now. And let¡¯s be honest, you need me more than I need you.¡± Harper¡¯s mouth drew into a frown. ¡°It¡¯s true I lack decent manpower, but the two men I have left are enough. You took out one of the necromancer¡¯s generals, did you not? Her forces have to be significantly weakened.¡± ¡°Are they?¡± Darian crossed his arms. Gershank had told him the necromancer¡¯s crypt was well guarded. She probably was keeping her highest level undead close. Darian couldn¡¯t be sure of that, but he had to at least pretend he was. ¡°What we destroyed is only a small part of the necromancer¡¯s forces. You¡¯ll die if you try to fight her without help.¡± ¡°He speaks true,¡± Gorm added. ¡°I¡¯m a good fighter, but with Jace and Vendrick dead, I¡¯ll be on the front lines solo. An extra blade would be handy.¡± ¡°And having a healer would aid us greatly,¡± Darian said. The undead lacked blood for him to regenerate from. Having an alchemist brew a few potions for him would be a massive help on its own. Plus, he had no way to heal Fria. ¡°Without your help, my friend and I can manage on our own,¡± Darian said. ¡°But the same can¡¯t be said of you. And if you want to destroy the Nether Gates, then you need my information.¡± ¡°That fool paladin seemed confident he knew one lie to the west. If this is the easternmost gate and the girl¡¯s village lies to the north, logic dictates the last gate is in the south.¡± Harper drew closer, her angular face catching flickering shadows. ¡°But you can¡¯t be sure,¡± Fria added. ¡°And is that an investment you want to make? Darian knows exactly where the gates are. You need his information.¡± Fria was lying, at least on some level. He had a good idea where the southern gate was, but the western gate he didn¡¯t know an exact location. Hopefully that idiot Jorg can take care of that by himself. Harper chewed at her bottom lip, her foot tapping the ground. Eventually, she looked up at the stars and sighed. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll answer some questions in exchange for the information. But what you say better be accurate.¡± Darian fought the urge to smile. ¡°First, what are you really after?¡± The necromancer was no friend of theirs, but they didn¡¯t seem to be sent here to kill her like the Justicars had. Figure she would have said as much if that was the case. ¡°This necromancer stole something from the Vizzeran house of artifacts before her flight here,¡± Harper said, a harsh edge to her voice. ¡°We still don¡¯t know how she got inside. The facility is guarded by the best wards and golems money can buy. But she made away with an artifact of great power. One my superiors want back.¡± By the way Gorm and Gustan reacted, this was news to them. ¡°And what is this artifact?¡± ¡°I believe it¡¯s my turn to receive something. That is how an exchange works. So tell me, where is the remaining Nether Gate?¡± ¡°It¡¯s in a swamp to the south.¡± Her eye twitched after Darian finished. She¡¯d been right, but finding it still would have taken her longer alone. ¡°Delightful. But to answer your previous question, I can¡¯t tell you what the artifact is. That is information I have been paid very well to keep to myself. What I can tell you is the necromancer herself is most likely in direct possession of the object. Meaning we must do away with her if we are to retrieve it.¡± Darian wasn¡¯t thrilled by her response, but he could tell further pushing would cause problems. ¡°Fine then. But I do have another question.¡± Harper laughed to herself. ¡°Before I answer, we must come to an agreement.¡± She straightened her back, throwing off the deflated aura she¡¯d adopted. ¡°And as we lack any official means to seal this accord, our word will have to suffice. Is that agreeable to you?¡± Darian nodded. ¡°It is.¡± ¡°Then my demands are thus. In exchange for our cooperation, you must assist us in fulfilling our sworn mission to The Society. This will include but not be limited to fighting on our behalf, shielding valuable personnel with your body, braving unknown dangers, ensuring tasks are completed timely, and above all, you must protect the party leader. And that would be me.¡± She took a quick breath. ¡°Are these conditions agreeable?¡± ¡°Only if you and your men swear to help us kill the necromancer. And I want Gustan to provide me and my friend with healing potions.¡± Darian looked to Gorm and Gustan, both men seeming to have no issues with Darian¡¯s demands. ¡°Agreed,¡± she said without hesitation. ¡°And per the original agreement, I will answer any further questions you have. This is, of course, provided they do not breach any prior contract, pact, agreement, blood sealing, or promise I have previously assented to.¡± ¡°That¡¯s fine with me,¡± Darian said. ¡°You called me an unknown factor, but you seemed to make an exception to Fria. And she says you weren¡¯t surprised to see a Justicar at the fort. Did you know they would be here?¡± ¡°I did,¡± Harper answered. Seeing as she wasn¡¯t going to elaborate without further prodding, Darian continued. ¡°How did you know they would be here? Did you spy on them or something?¡± ¡°The Society has spies in all of Lonelen¡¯s organizations and the Justicars are no different. But I believe you¡¯re mistaken in your line of thinking. We didn¡¯t discover the necromancer had fled here from them, but the other way around.¡± ¡°The Justicars knew she was here because The Society tipped them off?¡± Fria asked. ¡°Indeed. Though we expected them to send a larger force. Their lack of power points to them either being incompetent, which we know to be true, or they simply lacked the proper manpower. They are still dealing with that nasty demonic invasion, after all.¡± Fria stood up suddenly, Zan¡¯s ears folding back. ¡°We were your distraction.¡± ¡°Precisely,¡± Harper said. ¡°Your village petitioning them for assistance was only answered so swiftly because they already knew the necromancer was here. But as I said, we expected they¡¯d send better troops. The necromancer escaped from their dungeons and yet they sent only four of their number in pursuit. We made it clear to them this woman was at least a class B threat, but not listening is in the Justicar¡¯s nature.¡± ¡°My father died for your distraction,¡± Fria said. ¡°And I nearly did as well. We walked right into an ambush.¡± ¡°Now that didn¡¯t have anything to do with us,¡± Gorm said, his voice measured. ¡°And we didn¡¯t expect your team to be wiped out. Justicars are bastards, but they specialize in killing the undead. We figured you¡¯d draw enough of the Grave Lord¡¯s forces away for us to do our job.¡± Fria didn¡¯t seem convinced. She stood there shaking, her face a picture of rage one second and despair the next. But Darian had another question pressing him. ¡°How did you know the necromancer was here?¡± As far as Darian had been told, this stretch of forest was in the middle of nowhere. ¡°That is something I cannot tell you.¡± Harper said the words flatly, with no indication she would budge. Darian turned to Fria, the girl¡¯s eyes still locked on Harper. ¡°What do you want to do?¡± If she wanted to break things off here, he would understand. But he felt strangely cold about the situation. His friend was clearly suffering, her confliction easy for all to see. Yet nothing stirred within him. ¡°Using people. Typical of The Society,¡± Fria said. ¡°But we¡¯ve already agreed to terms, and I¡¯ll not be the one to break them. But know, if you do anything to purposefully put me or Darian in harm''s way, I¡¯ll put an arrow through your eye.¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t I already putting you two in harm''s way?¡± Harper¡¯s shoulder sagged. ¡°But I understand what you¡¯re saying. And know that I am truly sorry for your loss.¡± It was only for a moment, but Harper¡¯s face softened just a bit. Fria just shrugged and stepped back, letting the shadows of the forest consume her. A sudden rumbling from Gorm¡¯s gut drew everyone¡¯s attention ¡°Sorry,¡± he said. ¡°Been a while since I ate.¡± Harper looked to Darian and Fria. ¡°I take it at least one of you is good at hunting?¡± ¡°Want us to fetch your dinner?¡± Fria asked from behind. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t put it that way, but yes. The three of us haven¡¯t eaten hardly a thing in two days. If we¡¯re to help, full stomachs are needed.¡± ¡°I can help you clean the animal,¡± Gorm added. ¡°Don¡¯t think you have to do everything yourself.¡± Fria clicked her tongue, and Zan joined her. ¡°Zan and I can find something, but we shouldn¡¯t stay here.¡± ¡°We can take them to the cave,¡± Darian said. ¡°It¡¯s not too far from here and it¡¯s close to the swamp.¡± And he needed a place to hide from the sun. ¡°Some kind of shelter would be nice,¡± Gustan said, adjusting his satchel. ¡°I¡¯ll need a quiet place to brew my potions.¡± ¡°Splendid.¡± Harper ensured her hat was perfectly balanced on her head. ¡°Then take us to this cave. I¡¯m ever so eager for a change of location.¡± Darian and Fria exchanged an annoyed glance before they walked side by side into the forest, their three new compatriots close behind. Chapter 32 - The Undead Companion Slain: Valmier Viceria (Lv. 16)
Victoria looked at the notification again, desperately wishing it wasn¡¯t true. She¡¯d promised herself after Bartrand died that she¡¯d close off her heart. After all, no one in this accursed world besides him could be worth her tears. But she slumped into a chair, her vision growing blurry. Val had been there since the beginning. When she woke naked in a crypt, she¡¯d thought that portal had sent her to hell. But the undead there welcomed her. They even taught her how to use her special gifts. And Val was the first of them to pledge his loyalty. How long ago was that now? Two years, maybe three? ¡°Time flies when you¡¯re being tortured.¡± She touched the long scar on her arm, the one that wouldn¡¯t heal no matter what she tried. The undead had warned her not to use her gifts around other humans. But she didn¡¯t listen. Got them and Bartrand killed. Val was one of the few who made it out, and he was the one who rescued her from the Justicar¡¯s dungeons. And when she declared her war on the living, he agreed to help her without hesitation. She reached her right hand toward the candlelight and inspected her rotting fingers. Her transformation into a Lich would be complete in only two months. Yet Val wouldn¡¯t be there to see it. ¡°Mistress.¡± Lora¡¯s skeletal form appeared in the arched doorway, her body illuminated by the chandelier hanging above. ¡°Have you news?¡± Victoria almost hoped Lora wouldn¡¯t say anything. She was tired of news at this point, for it was never good. ¡°The Lich Cultists have refused to abandon their camp. They are in fact fortifying the position.¡± ¡°Damned leeches,¡± Victoria slumped further in her chair. ¡°This is why I told Val we shouldn¡¯t deal with them.¡± She shook her head. ¡°But with my numbers dwindling, I may need their help. Have they sent word?¡± ¡°Not yet. Though I believe they still do not know about the fort.¡± Victoria had sent a few undead Wargs to check the fort the previous night. By touching the undead she could sift through their fragmented memories. These only included images when touching such primitive creatures, but she saw enough to know the fort had truly fallen. Part of her ¡°alliance¡± with the Lich Cult included the delivery of corpses for raising. These were to be high quality, the kind she could raise a Death Knight or Revenant with. But she saw the burned coffin and dead cultists. Most likely none had survived. ¡°And Oliver? Has he cleared up the issue in the swamp?¡± Oliver was now her last remaining companion. The problem was, she couldn¡¯t trust him. His unique skills were useful, and he was handy in a fight. But both his refusal to become undead and his general lack of drive were enough for Victoria to send him away. Now she had no one else to rely on. ¡°He sends word that a tribe of goblins has declared war on you.¡± ¡°Goblins?¡± Victoria turned, Lora¡¯s skeletal face showing no hint of emotion. ¡°How many do they number?¡± ¡°The message did not say. But it did say they are a minor threat.¡± ¡°Did it say why they decided now of all times to fight me?¡± ¡°The Nether Gate in the ruins sits atop one of their holy sites,¡± Lora said, the blue fire in her empty eye sockets flashing. ¡°It seems it is a place of pilgrimage for them. The note suggested it is a location the tribe visits to make offerings before the coming of winter.¡± Victoria groaned. ¡°Of course it is.¡± She waved Lora away. ¡°Send a message to Oliver that I need them wiped out by this time tomorrow night. He¡¯s to return here once he¡¯s completed his task.¡± ¡°Very well.¡± Lora bowed and then rattled her way down the hall. Victoria brought her quest menu up and inspected her latest objective.
Quest: Preemptive Deicide Objective: Kill Darian Carmine Bonus Objective: Kill Fria Von Rostcliff
Was it this Darian and Fria who killed Valmier? The odds were likely. But who is he? She strode from her bedchamber and down the winding staircase that led into the center of the crypt. The place was half buried when she arrived, but her minions had done excellent work restoring the crumbled halls. She¡¯d doubted the crypt was real when she first set foot in the forest, but the information she¡¯d been given turned out to be true. Yet nothing has gone well since I arrived. She turned down a curved hall, the wine room not far. Her hand reached up and touched the gem imbedded in her chest. It pulsed with necromantic power, voices whispering at the edge of her hearing. When Oliver stole the gem from The Society, she¡¯d thought he made away with nothing but a pretty rock. But the gem augmented her powers, giving her further dominion over the dead. Yet for all her time with it, she still couldn¡¯t fully harness its power. But that will soon change. She pushed on the double doors, the smell of aged wine touching her rotting nose. She took a moment to savor the scent, to feel the damp press of stale air on her skin, the flicker of dim light against her eyelids. In a few months, she would be nothing but bones, these sensations foreign to her. But shedding her mortal form would make her stronger, and little else mattered to her now. ¡°Master,¡± Nalmar said with a bow. The skeleton stood amidst the barrels of wine, his body wrapped in a purple robe. ¡°What brings the Lady of Graves here at this late hour?¡± ¡°What do you think?¡± Victoria settled onto a stool that sat in the corner, a small oak table beside it. ¡°And which vintage does my lady require?¡± Nalmar asked, walking to a nearby cupboard. ¡°Just give me the oldest we have.¡± Victoria put her elbows on the table and sighed. ¡°Honestly, just give me anything strong.¡± Nalmar grunted something and then set to work. Victoria watched him as he retrieved a silver goblet and then went to the rows of bottled wine at the far end of the room. He was one of the few who survived the Justicar¡¯s attack on her old home. When Valmier rescued her from the Justicar¡¯s dungeons, Nalmar was the first to embrace her. She still remembered how he fought to protect her from the flames that night. Yet so many more met their final end, and the thought of it happening all over again sent a cold jolt through her chest. This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°Do you think we can win?¡± She asked the question absently, her mind wandering. ¡°Against who?¡± The goblet clinked as Nalmar poured. ¡°The Justicars,¡± Victoria answered. ¡°They may be distracted for now, but they¡¯ll be forced to respond once I march past the mountains. What happens to us then?¡± She slumped forward, feeling rather tired of the whole thing. ¡°War will be ugly,¡± he said, his bony feet crunching against the stone floor. ¡°And we may not win.¡± He sat the goblet on the table, the wine within dark and inviting. Victoria sat up and pressed her lips to the rim. ¡°What if we built our defenses here? We could make a home of this place.¡± ¡°But the followers of Argus know we are here. They will never allow us to rest.¡± Nalmar stepped away and crossed his arms behind his back. ¡°Either they are killed, or we are.¡± ¡°I know.¡± She let the wine fill her mouth, the taste dulled by her decomposing tongue. Then she swallowed and turned off her poison resistance. ¡°It was just a foolish idea.¡± She thought about home again. Her real home, back in the old world, a world that seemed more like a dream with each passing day. She¡¯d been enjoying the end of the fall semester when a portal appeared and dragged her inside. Things after that were blurry, but she remembered a voice asking her questions and the feeling of her body changing, shaping into something new. Then she woke up in the crypt, Valmier and his family of undead providing what shelter they could. Thinking about the Valmier of the past sent a guilty tug to her heart. He was rightly fearful of the living then, but the Justicars turned that fear into hatred. She always wanted to know if he blamed her for what happened, but now she would never get the chance to ask. ¡°Mistress.¡± Lora was at the door, her head bowed. ¡°More news?¡± Victoria took another drink. ¡°The Cleric¡¯s body is ready for you.¡± She sat the cup down and stood. ¡°Finally.¡± She took one last drink, then handed the goblet to Nalmar. ¡°Thank you for the wine.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to serve you,¡± he said with a bow. ¡°But please mind the steps on the way down.¡± Victoria thought about reactivating her poison resistance, but she held off, enjoying the warmth spreading inside her. She instead gave Nalmar an overconfident nod and then followed Lora down the hall. They passed several rooms as they went, the chambers mostly empty. Besides Victoria, no other living creature inhabited the crypt. The upper levels they walked through belonged to some wealthy family in ages past, one that seemed to dig out these rooms to practice their necromancy in secret. Judging by the fire damage visible on the old structures above, someone eventually found them out. Always fire. She giggled to herself, the idea somehow humorous. ¡°Are you well, my lady?¡± Lora asked as she unlocked a door leading below. ¡°I¡¯m splendid.¡± She wasn¡¯t sure if that was a lie anymore. Just days ago, she¡¯d been sitting in the crypt bored out of her rotting skull. But then Adenion died and despite herself, she felt a rush of excitement. Now that reaction seemed foolish, and she wondered if some part of her sanity had already withered. She found herself taken to flights of vengeful rage one moment, then melancholy the next. But in the present moment, she settled on something close to numbness. The chamber was small and rectangular, with a raised dais at its center. Atop the dais was a thick table, the corpse of a dead Justicar laid across it. Her body was covered by a cloth, but Victoria knew arcane runes were carved into her flesh. ¡°Master,¡± Pasitus said as Lora and Victoria entered. ¡°She is ready.¡± Victoria looked down at the woman¡¯s corpse, her lip curling in disgust. ¡°Her clerical powers shielded the body at first, but all things wither with time,¡± Pasitus said, a small blade in his hand gleaming in the candlelight. Victoria touched the woman¡¯s face and activated her divine skill [Grave Lord]. Information flooded her mind, the woman¡¯s class levels, race, age, and even her last memories. These she already knew from touching the body the day it was delivered, but now she checked her chances of success.
Chance of successful raising: 47%
Pasitus¡¯ work the last few days had nearly doubled her chance of success. But it¡¯s still a gamble. She looked over the body again, wishing one of the other Justicars was on her table. But the surviving paladin from the group had burned the other two bodies, leaving her with this torn mess. Gershank wasn¡¯t gentle with you, was he? ¡°Is there nothing more we can do to increase my odds?¡± Victoria asked. ¡°Nothing that can be done quickly,¡± Pasitus answered, laying his knife on a nearby table. ¡°Waiting for the body to further decompose could work, but her holy powers will make that take considerable time.¡± The woman had been dead long enough for decomposition to start, but the corpse was still nearly fresh. Damned clerics. She thought about using the body to fashion a Bone or Death Knight, but she had several of them already. Though an undead cleric¡¯s healing powers would be harmful to the undead, she could give her to Oliver. He stubbornly retained his flesh and so the woman would make a fine servant for him. ¡°I¡¯m going for it,¡± Victoria said, pressing her palm against the woman¡¯s face. She channeled the negative energy stored in the gem, her divine skill absorbing it and filling the Justicar¡¯s body. Without the gem, raising a perfect undead would be impossible at Victoria¡¯s level, but with it strengthening her, she had a chance. She willed her power to bring the corpse into unlife. Now she would either be presented with a new servant, or a steaming pile of ashes.
Raising Successful
The woman jerked up, her foggy eyes blinking at Victoria. ¡°Marvelous,¡± Pasitus said from behind. ¡°Welcome to the family.¡± ¡°Where,¡± the undead woman said, her head snapping to the side, her movements frantic. "Who?" Victoria pressed a finger to the woman¡¯s forehead. ¡°I am your master.¡± A flash of blue enveloped the dead woman¡¯s eyes, and she calmed. ¡°You are my master.¡± Something pulled at Victoria¡¯s insides, same as it always did when she raised a new servant. But she couldn¡¯t have them betraying her. She¡¯d gone through enough of that already. ¡°Do you remember your name?¡± Victoria asked. ¡°Yulia?¡± she said with a tilt of her head. ¡°Good enough for me.¡± Victoria helped Yulia off the table. ¡°Pasitus, go up and get some clothes ready for her.¡± The skeleton bowed, then vanished through the doorway. Lora approached her new sister, a skeletal hand falling onto her shoulder. ¡°Lora, have you already sent my message to Oliver?¡± ¡°I have not,¡± she replied. ¡°Send Yulia with the message.¡± An undead cleric would not do them any good here, but at least Oliver could get some use out of her. ¡°And send the new battalion with her.¡± ¡°Are you certain?¡± ¡°I am.¡± Victoria had formed this battalion as an elite guard for the crypt. But with the fort destroyed, she needed the other two gates to remain operational. Gershank and his horde of Wargs protected the western gate, and though she couldn¡¯t fully trust them, the gate in the swamp was only a few hours'' travel from the crypt. If it fell, Victoria¡¯s enemies would be within striking distance of her new home. ¡°Very well,¡± Lora said with a bow. ¡°I will send Yulia with your commands.¡± She took the new undead by the hand. ¡°Come with me, I will show you the way.¡± Victoria watched the two ascend, hand in hand, to the upper level. She turned to the table behind her, the surface blood stained and weathered. If fate was kind, this Darian fellow would be the next person for Pasitus to carve. Chapter 33 - One Last Quiet Night The group traveled west, the sky a shadowed blotch of darkening clouds that hid the stars. A low wind rustled the trees, bearing with it a touch of winter that made Darian doubly appreciative of his cold resistance. Fria was up ahead, Zan stalking the shadows not far away. Darian took up the rear, watching as Gustan fumbled over root and branch, his heavy footfalls drumming in the dark. Gorm wasn¡¯t much better, his large frame getting caught on snagging twigs, his heavy axe in some constant tangle with nature. But through it all, Harper never made a sound. Darian watched her tiptoe through the forest like an expert huntsman. But even if it was muffled, Darian could still hear Zan and Harper as they maneuvered through the forest. With Harper, it was like a void of silence surrounded her, one that only permitted the occasional breath to be heard. If she¡¯s using a skill for that, it¡¯s of the passive kind. While Gorm and Gustan seemed solid, Darian still didn¡¯t trust the elf. The way she walked and watched, sizing anyone and everything up¡ªit set Darian on edge. He doubted she¡¯d stab him in the back, but he wouldn¡¯t count on her in a fight. Come to think of it, she¡¯s not carrying any weapons. Gustan had his alchemical attacks and Gorm had his axe, but Harper trounced through the darkness unarmed. A mage? But the deftness of her movements pointed to a roguish type. Well, whatever she is, it won¡¯t matter. Darian had decided after the negotiations that if Harper proved to be a threat, he would eliminate her. The thought of killing her if she betrayed him sent a small shiver through him, but he snuffed it out. It was like Fria said. This wasn¡¯t his world anymore, and that meant he had to harden his heart. Still, I don¡¯t like the idea of killing anyone. While still deep in thought, Darian noticed Fria break into a clearing ahead. Then a familiar sight greeted him. ¡°This is it,¡± Fria said, eyes scanning the cave and surrounding trees. ¡°Zan, sniff around and make sure there¡¯s nothing waiting for us.¡± The wolf set to the task at once, his dark furred bulk vanishing into the bushes. ¡°Lovely place,¡± Harper said, adjusting her three-sided hat. ¡°Now, if you will excuse me.¡± She stepped past the group and strutted for a clutch of thick pines that stood some distance away. ¡°Nature calls.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t let anything bite you,¡± Fria said, her voice low. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dream of it,¡± Harper replied without turning. ¡°How likely are we to be attacked?¡± Gorm asked, axe resting across his muscled shoulders. ¡°Looks wide open to me.¡± ¡°We should be safe from the undead here,¡± Darian said. ¡°This territory belongs to the Wargs.¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t exactly fill me with confidence,¡± Gorm said, nudging a heavy breathing Gustan forward. ¡°Their leader, Gershank, isn¡¯t a fan of the necromancer. He and his pack will leave us alone.¡± Provided nothing¡¯s changed since we attacked the fort. ¡°But we should still always have someone on guard.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take first watch,¡± Fria said. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure there aren¡¯t any surprises.¡± She looked in the direction Harper had gone, her eyes narrowed. Zan returned, letting the group know the area was clear. Harper arrived not long after, rejoining the group as they inspected the cave. ¡°Nice rug,¡± Gorm said, nudging the bearskin with his boot. ¡°How¡¯d you get the bastard in here, though?¡± He looked over his shoulder and into the thicket. ¡°It was hard,¡± Darian lied. ¡°Had to haul it all the way here from a cabin up north.¡± Lying felt a little easier than it had before. But he couldn¡¯t let them know about his inventory or the system. Who knows what someone like Harper would do with such information. ¡°Well, I for one am rather glad you did so.¡± Harper placed her good hand on her hip. ¡°It gives the cave a rather unique personality.¡± Fria walked outside, Zan following her. Darian left the three others to join her, finding her standing by the pond as Zan drank. ¡°Are you alright?¡± Darian asked. ¡°Would you prefer a lie or the truth?¡± She smiled with some effort. ¡°With you? The truth.¡± ¡°Things have been moving so quickly since my father died. There haven¡¯t been many moments to just¡­breathe.¡± She laid her bow on the ground and sat atop the round boulder by the pond¡¯s edge, the breeze tugging at her fiery hair. ¡°I¡¯m tired is all. And finding out we were just a distraction for The Society hasn¡¯t helped.¡± ¡°I understand,¡± Darian said, sitting on the soft grass beside her. ¡°I haven¡¯t been in this world long and yet so much has already happened. Sometimes it doesn¡¯t feel real.¡± He looked down at his hands, the tips of his fingers still stained red. ¡°You¡¯re handling it rather well, all things considered.¡± ¡°I honestly feel the same way about you.¡± Darian gave her a nudge on the leg. ¡°You had just lost your father and nearly your life, but you still stuck up for me when Jorg attacked. You¡¯ve held yourself together better than most would.¡± ¡°Maybe,¡± she said with a sniffle. ¡°But I just¡­I miss him.¡± She wiped her eye with the back of her sleeve. ¡°And I keep thinking about what I¡¯m going to tell Mother.¡± Darian leaned against the bolder, not sure what to say. Zan joined them, the wolf licking at Fria¡¯s hand, his ears drooping down. ¡°I know it¡¯s not the same,¡± Darian eventually said. ¡°But I miss my father, too. And my mother. The last time I saw them was before they admitted me to the hospital for the last time. And even though I haven¡¯t been here long, it¡¯s like those memories belong to a different person. I keep wondering what they would think of me now. I know I¡¯ve only done what I had to do, and I know this world needs me to be tougher. But I can¡¯t help but feel like some part of them would be disappointed in me.¡± Fria laughed. ¡°I don¡¯t know your parents, but judging by their son, I doubt they would be disappointed in you.¡± Darian smiled flatly. ¡°Maybe, maybe not.¡± ¡°You¡¯re too hard on yourself,¡± Fria said, patting Zan on the head, the wolf¡¯s tail slowly starting to wag. ¡°My father was the same way. No matter how hard he tried, he always felt like he was letting someone down. But like him, I don¡¯t think there¡¯s anyone you need to worry about on that front.¡± This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. ¡°I¡¯m just a worrier,¡± Darian admitted. ¡°Get it from my dad, I think.¡± He relaxed, letting the back of his head rest against the stone. ¡°And I¡¯m sure your father would be proud of you. I know you think there¡¯s more you could be doing to help, but you¡¯re honestly doing just fine. I¡¯d be dead if it wasn¡¯t for you, and maybe worse.¡± ¡°Worse than dead?¡± She leaned over and looked down at him. ¡°How so?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve done a good job of reminding me I¡¯m only a monster if I let myself become one. I felt¡­lost after I killed those men. Numb. But the longer I¡¯m around you, well I can¡¯t help but feel better. So thanks for that.¡± He grinned. ¡°And I want you to know there¡¯s no one else I¡¯d rather have by my side.¡± Her cheeks flushed red, and she sat back. ¡°Well,¡± she said, gathering her bow. ¡°I think that¡¯s enough talk of parents for now.¡± Darian rose to his feet, feeling like he¡¯d said something to offend her. He was about to apologize when she turned and gave his hand a quick squeeze. ¡°Thanks for the chat. And I¡¯d love to talk more about our parents later, maybe after my watch is over?¡± She smiled. ¡°I would like that,¡± Darian said. ¡°You know where to find me.¡± She gave a mock bow and then set to patrolling with Zan beside her, the wolf¡¯s tail wagging frantically. Darian stood there watching her go for a moment, then he stripped off his armor and shirt. Kneeling by the pool, he washed the dried blood from his body and his armor the best he could. Who knew bloodstains were so hard to wash off? A heavy set of steps came from behind and Darian turned to find Gorm approaching with an empty waterskin. ¡°You said this place is close to the swamp?¡± Gorm asked, squatting by Darian. ¡°It is. Only a few hours to the south.¡± Gorm grunted. ¡°You better appreciate the fact we¡¯re sleeping during the day for you.¡± Darian stopped his scrubbing and turned, finding the half-orc frowning. ¡°I appreciate it.¡± ¡°Good, because I don¡¯t like losing sleep for no reason.¡± He peered into the forest. ¡°So what do you say, think you could take me in a fight?¡± Darian blinked at him. ¡°What kind of question is that?¡± He stood, laying his shirt and armor atop the nearby bolder to dry. ¡°Only question that matters.¡± Gorm finished filling his water skin and stepped back, looking Darian up and down. ¡°Gustan told me you¡¯re some kind of beast during battle, but I¡¯m having a hard time seeing it. You look soft to me.¡± There wasn¡¯t any malice in the way Gorm spoke, but it still sent an irritating twitch through Darian¡¯s neck. ¡°I¡¯ve killed plenty up to this point. Men and monsters both.¡± ¡°Still.¡± Gorm squinted. ¡°You lack experience. I can tell by the way you move.¡± He looked around. ¡°Why don¡¯t we spar a bit? I¡¯ve not got anything better to do.¡± ¡°What good would sparring do us now? We¡¯ll be fighting the undead by this time tomorrow night.¡± He shrugged. ¡°You don¡¯t have to, but I¡¯m a veteran and I figured I can show you a thing or two. But it¡¯s your call.¡± Darian thought about it, but he hadn¡¯t sparred a day in his life. He did karate a bit when he was little, but he had to quit before he ever needed to spar. ¡°With our hands or with weapons?¡± Gorm laughed. ¡°Let¡¯s start with our hands. Safer that way.¡± Darian nodded. ¡°I know a flat place for us to practice.¡± He led Gorm around the cave, Harper already fast asleep within, Gustan messing with his potions. The tops of the old graves had started to grow over with grass. Looking at the dark outlines made Darian smile. How long ago it all seems. Back when killing a squirrel made him sad. How quickly things change. ¡°Now, you stand over there. Yep just like that.¡± Gorm turned his head to the side, inspecting Darian¡¯s form. ¡°I want you to try to hit me right here.¡± He tapped the edge of his greenish nose. ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± ¡°For now. But really come at me like you mean it. Don¡¯t worry about hurting me, I¡¯ve got a healing skill that can patch up minor wounds.¡± Darian couldn¡¯t be sure, but he figured he was both physically stronger and faster than Gorm. I¡¯ll go easy on him. He widened his stance, then shot forward. Gorm stepped around the punch, his shoulder and Darian¡¯s brushing together, sending Darian off balance. ¡°Like you mean it,¡± he said, bouncing on the tips of his boots. Darian turned and punched twice, the strikes twice as fast as his first. But Gorm ducked the first and bobbed his head away from the second, his palm reaching out and lightly slapping Darian¡¯s cheek. ¡°Please tell me you aren¡¯t really this slow.¡± Fine then. Darian gritted his teeth and lunged, his fist flying out so fast there was no way Gorm could dodge. But he did. He spun under the blow and pushed Darian with his left hand, causing him to stumble back and fall. ¡°You some kind of martial arts master or something?¡± Darian said, jumping to his feet. ¡°Hardly. Just a man whose fought in a lot of battles, most of the time against opponents far stronger than me.¡± Darian came at Gorm again, this time punching lighter but faster, doing his best to use his feet to maneuver. I¡¯m faster than him, so how does he keep moving just out of the way? Gorm ducked under Darian¡¯s last punch, his fist crunching into Darian¡¯s stomach with surprising strength. He stumbled back a step. That probably would have knocked the air out of me if I needed to breathe. Darian was about to charge in again when Gorm brought a hand up, signaling for him to pause. ¡°You¡¯re fast, that¡¯s for sure,¡± Gorm said, wiping the sweat from his brow. ¡°And I can tell you hit hard. Probably would only take one or two direct punches from you to put me out.¡± ¡°Then why can¡¯t I hit you?¡± He tapped his finger beside his eye. ¡°You look right at the place you¡¯re trying to hit.¡± Then he touched his lips. ¡°And you have a tendency to frown or grit your teeth before an attack. With these, I can predict when and where you¡¯re going to strike.¡± Darian thought about his fight with Valmier. Despite their speed being relatively equal, the skeleton always seemed to know when and where Darian¡¯s attacks would appear. ¡°And how do I fix that?¡± Darian asked, feeling a little deflated. ¡°With constant practice,¡± Gorm said, crossing his arms. ¡°And you need to use more feints.¡± He stepped closer. ¡°You use magic and a sword, right?¡± ¡°I do,¡± Darian answered. ¡°That combination will make you tricky for anyone to deal with, but if you fight someone with lots of battle experience, it won¡¯t be enough. Strong and fast as you are, you might be able to get by fighting someone a little stronger than you, but if the gap is too much.¡± He clapped his hands together. ¡°You¡¯re going to get crushed.¡± ¡°But I beat Valmier, and he was stronger than me.¡± ¡°Aye, but you had help, didn¡¯t you?¡± Darian nodded. ¡°And you won¡¯t always have help. There¡¯s going to come a time when it¡¯s just going to be you and someone a lot meaner and a lot tougher. When that time comes, you¡¯ll need to be tricky.¡± He gave Darian a light push on the shoulder. ¡°And you can¡¯t be tricky if you¡¯re still this predictable.¡± ¡°I see your point,¡± Darian said. ¡°Mind training me a bit more? At least until Fria returns?¡± Gorm smiled. ¡°Let¡¯s make a deal. I will train you, and you¡¯ll do your best to watch my back tomorrow. Sound fair?¡± ¡°Sounds fair.¡± ¡°Alright then.¡± Gorm took a few steps back. ¡°Now, try to hit me.¡± Darian set his stance and raised his fist. He was going to land a punch on the half-orc¡¯s face, even if it took him all night. Chapter 34 - A Promise Made Julius looked into the night as his fellow Lich cultists moved about the camp, their frigid hands reaching for pitiful fires that warded away the night. ¡°What are we thinking?¡± Sven asked, his face wreathed in shadow. ¡°That Alaric should have returned by now.¡± Julius squinted, hoping to see some glimmer of light in the distance, some inkling that his apprentice was out there. ¡°This whole business with the Grave Lord never sat right with me,¡± Sven said, his hand resting on the pommel of his sword. ¡°Just putting that out there for when the whole operation falls through.¡± Julius sighed. They¡¯d spent considerable resources and time forging an alliance with this so-called Grave Lord, yet Julius¡¯ master, the esteemed Lich Calhaven, still refused to explain the reasoning for such a partnership. But it wasn¡¯t in Julius¡¯ nature to question the master, so he listened to his men¡¯s complaints the best he could. Though days spent in a monster infested swamp had done little to lighten he or his underlings¡¯ mood. ¡°Our job is not to question Sven, but to fulfill our duties to the best of our abilities.¡± It was the third time in four days Julius had used that line, and even he was growing tired of hearing it. ¡°But why do our duties include building an outpost out here of all places?¡± Sven gestured at the men gathered around their tents, the buzz of mosquitos thick in the air. Julius pinched the bridge of his nose, a motion that was becoming common. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be on watch? We are in dangerous territory.¡± Sven huffed and turned back to stare into the swamp. ¡°Perimeter is secure. I made sure of it.¡± ¡°And our little green friends?¡± ¡°Chased away. Ven lit one on fire to scare the rest. Doubt they¡¯ll be back after that.¡± ¡°One can hope.¡± The goblins were a bit of a surprise, one of many since they set foot in this damned forest. Oh how I long for the crypts and dungeons of home. ¡°How long do we wait before we send someone to check on the delivery?¡± Sven asked. ¡°If Alaric does not appear by this time tomorrow night, we will send someone to check. Does that satisfy you?¡± Sven was an excellent guard, the kind of man you wanted at your back in an ugly fight. But his never-ending questions were about to make Julius bury his head in a bog. ¡°Isn¡¯t that waiting a bit long?¡± Julius groaned and continued peering into the night. Alaric, where are you? *** Alaric panted his way through the forest, his bone mask long tossed aside. He had little idea where he was going, but he trudged on, the air growing damper with each step. The night was dark, the clouds above thick and suffocating. I should never have come to this place. He swatted away a mosquito, his breath hissing as he vaulted over a felled tree. He¡¯d ran until his legs gave out the previous night. Luckily, the paladin and the archer had given up before long. But they had to put an arrow in my leg first. His only healing spell, [Mend] had done precious little, and he was forced to wait a full day until he could use it again. But his leg still throbbed, each step a struggle. But the camp must be close. He muttered a silent prayer, one to gods he no longer believed in. The ground became spongy and wet, the air smelling of rot. The swamp. Luck had seen him head in the right direction, but now he faced a fresh problem. Which way is it? They¡¯d arrived in the swamp by way of the western Imperial Road. It was days of marching through the forest, Julius barking orders at them the entire time. When they happened upon the ruins, Julius ordered them to make camp. Delivering the coffin from there had been difficult, and Alaric cursed at himself for not paying better attention to the route they took. He hobbled through a puddle and stood on the bank, the air seeming to grow darker. The Nether Gates influence, perhaps? It wasn¡¯t his position to question the master, but his allegiance with the Grave Lord had proved nothing but trouble thus far. When he made it back to camp, he would have words with Julius. His mentor loved questions, after all. Something bubbled in the water, a scaled snout appearing. Then another materialized not far away, the beast emerging from the muck. Alaric backed away, ready to cast a spell if need be. But then the two alligators turned and fled back into the water, the sound of buzzing drawing closer. More damned mosquitoes. But this buzzing was far too loud. He spun and cast [Fire Bolt] the first blood bug falling to the ground wreathed in flame. The next he battered down with his staff, the third falling to a spray of ice from his palm. But yet more twitched and writhed in the trees above, and Alaric turned, casting [Veil of Mist] before hobbling into the darkness. He willed his aching leg to move faster, but the wound the archer left in him burned fiercely. After turning a bend in the path, his boot slipped in the mud and he tumbled. Laying there, covered in filth, he contemplated giving up for a moment. But then he rolled, his palm sending arcane flame into the horde. Then an arrow whistled through the air, striking one of the creatures down. More came from the darkness behind Alaric, the small shafts cutting into the swarm. My brothers came to my rescue! Alaric shot more fire at the fleeing monsters, his body coursing with adrenalin. But as he rose and inspected one of the small shafts, he remembered something. We brought crossbows with us, but these are regular arrows. And they¡¯re so small. He turned, his heart seeming to skip a beat as he saw the rows of snarling teeth chittering in the shadows. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°Drop the staff,¡± a small voice said. ¡°Or we get to stabbing.¡± Alaric tapped his staff on the ground. Goblins? He laughed, his sanity chipping away. ¡°It¡¯s crazy,¡± another voice said. ¡°Better to shoot it now.¡± Alaric thought about fighting, but there were too many of them. And his leg wept, trickles of blood running down his leg. In the end, he dropped his staff on the ground. The little green creatures swarmed forward, some surrounding Alaric while others picked their arrows from the bug¡¯s corpses. Yet more appeared to carry the bug¡¯s bodies on their backs, some pointing and arguing about who shot what. ¡°You will go to the chief,¡± one of them said, a crooked knife in its hands. ¡°Or I stab.¡± ¡°Understood,¡± Alaric replied, feeling like he must have become cursed without realizing it. Some of the other creatures started pointing their weapons at Alaric and arguing, snarling and biting at each other. But the goblin with the knife hushed them with a stern glare. ¡°We only eat if the chief says we eat.¡± Alaric realized they¡¯d just been arguing about eating him. He looked into the swamp, hoping to see some sign of Julius or the others. ¡°Walk,¡± the little monster said, jabbing at Alaric with his crooked knife. And so Alaric shuffled deeper into the swamp, a horde of angry goblins surrounding him. *** ¡°That¡¯s enough,¡± Gorm said, his palms facing out. ¡°But I still haven¡¯t hit you.¡± Darian lowered his fist. ¡°Well I¡¯m tired,¡± Gorm said, lowering himself to the ground. ¡°You got a blessed set of lungs or something?¡± Darian sat on the grass opposite Gorm. ¡°Something like that.¡± Gorm spat into the bushes. ¡°You¡¯re lucky the chief is so out of sorts with this job. Any other time, and she¡¯d be up your ass with constant questions.¡± ¡°I take it you haven¡¯t seen someone like me before?¡± Gorm shook his head. ¡°Not that I remember. Especially that hair.¡± He ran a finger along his dark braid. ¡°Some Elves and gnomes have odd hair colors, but that silvery white is something I¡¯ve never seen.¡± ¡°Gnomes?¡± ¡°What? Never seen one before?¡± Gorm smiled. ¡°They live in a mushroom forest far, far to the west. You¡¯re likely never to run across one, but if you do,¡± Gorm¡¯s face became rigid, his voice deathly serious. ¡°Never play them in a game of cards.¡± Darian couldn¡¯t tell if he was joking and so he simply nodded. Zan appeared from the forest, a fresh rabbit in his mouth. He padded over to Darian and laid the creature by Darian¡¯s side, then gave him a lick on the arm. ¡°Good boy,¡± Darian said, scratching the wolf between the ears. ¡°Well,¡± Gorm said, frowning. ¡°Where¡¯s mine?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be hunting in the early morning,¡± Fria said, appearing from behind Darian. ¡°You¡¯ll get that full belly, I promise.¡± Gorm rubbed his stomach. ¡°Don¡¯t know, I might starve before then.¡± Darian snatched up the rabbit and let his fangs emerge. Gorm raised a brow at it but seemed more intrigued than anything. After Darian finished draining the animal, he tossed it over to Gorm. ¡°Not sure if you want it, but you¡¯re welcome to cook what¡¯s left if you want.¡± Gorm eyed the rabbit but ended up sliding it over to Zan, much to the wolf¡¯s delight. ¡°I¡¯ll pass.¡± He narrowed his eyes. ¡°But you truly don¡¯t eat the flesh? Just drink the blood? Must come in handy.¡± ¡°It has its perks,¡± Darian admitted. ¡°You up for patrolling?¡± Fria asked Gorm. ¡°Your boss is asleep, and I tried talking to Gustan, but the alchemist is rather absorbed in his work.¡± ¡°Aye I¡¯ll patrol.¡± Gorm grunted as he rose, then stretched his back. ¡°We can practice more later, if you want.¡± Gorm said. ¡°You were starting to get close.¡± Then he walked away, leaving Fria, Zan, and Darian in silence. ¡°I saw you two sparring,¡± Fria said, settling onto the grass. ¡°He¡¯s faster than he looks.¡± ¡°Hits harder than you¡¯d think too.¡± He touched his sore ribs. ¡°I¡¯m not sure why he wants to train me. We just met.¡± ¡°Maybe he was just bored. Or maybe he likes you.¡± Darian scoffed at that. ¡°Find anything interesting while out on patrol?¡± ¡°Nothing that would excite you.¡± Fria looked up at the stars, her eyes lost for a moment. ¡°We¡¯ll be fighting the undead again tomorrow.¡± ¡°That we will,¡± Darian answered, a mixture of fear and excitement brewing within him. ¡°We¡¯ll have more help this time.¡± Fria stretched out on the grass. ¡°But I can¡¯t help but be worried.¡± ¡°I¡¯m worried too, but we made it through the fort. We¡¯ll crush this gate and then the last if we must. Then the necromancer herself will fall.¡± ¡°You make all of that sound simple.¡± ¡°It is once you get down to it, but don¡¯t worry,¡± Darian said. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure we get through it in one piece.¡± ¡°Is that a promise?¡± Fria asked, sitting up, her lips drawn into a frown. ¡°It is.¡± Her face brightened, if only a little. ¡°So don¡¯t let that worry affect your aim. I¡¯ll be counting on you to cover me tomorrow.¡± ¡°And that¡¯s a tall order, let me tell you.¡± She smiled. ¡°You¡¯re almost too fast to keep up with sometimes.¡± ¡°Well, I appreciate the effort.¡± Darian relaxed, letting his back rest on the cool grass. ¡°So, you said you wanted to talk more about our parents?¡± And so they did. They swapped stories, triumphs and failures, laughter and sadness. They did this until Fria¡¯s eyes started to drift close, and she rose on tired feet. ¡°Think I¡¯ll be heading to bed now. I¡¯ve got an early morning.¡± ¡°Just make sure to rest after you¡¯re done hunting,¡± Darian said, still seated. ¡°Oh, I wouldn¡¯t worry about that.¡± With a parting smile, Fria disappeared around the rock face with Zan trailing behind her, leaving Darian alone with his thoughts. He rested his elbows on his knees, thinking about the battles to come. I¡¯ll get stronger, but not only that, I¡¯ll learn to control my thirst. If he was ever going to feel safe around people, his thirst was still the mountain he needed to climb. With renewed resolve, he rose to his feet, eager to face the challenges tomorrow would bring. Chapter 35 - Fallen Gate The sun was just splitting the horizon when Jorg and Carver crested the ridge. The boy had been a lot quieter since finding his friend at the fort. They¡¯d found the girl stumbling down the steps with a short fellow from The Society. She was lucky to be alive, doubly so that Jorg was there to heal her. She¡¯d thanked him after, though there was much bitterness in it. Fria and Carver exchanged a few words as they set to searching for and freeing the other prisoners. They probably wouldn¡¯t have found them if that half breed hadn¡¯t caused such a racket. Aiding The Society, what has this forest done to me? Jorg scratched his beard, that familiar doubt creeping into his bones. Fria told him that Darian had defeated one of the necromancer¡¯s strongest servants, and that he¡¯d slaughtered a whole horde of the undead in the process. Jorg doubted her story then, especially because this supposed undead scourge was nowhere to be found. But the more he thought about it, the more he believed her. And, though it pained him to admit it, he and the boy would both have died assaulting that fort alone. It was a stroke of luck Darian and Fria had distracted the fort¡¯s defenders, giving them enough time to slaughter the Lich Cultists and destroy the Nether Gate. But I saw Darian conversing with that Warg when I used [Memory Delve]. Was he not colluding with the enemy? Thinking about the whole mess made Jorg¡¯s head hurt, so he focused his attention on the black splotch swirling down in the forest. ¡°I saw a glimpse of it while I was scouting the other day,¡± Carver said. ¡°Couldn¡¯t be sure it was a gate, but I¡¯m certain now.¡± ¡°Good work.¡± Jorg gave the boy a reassuring pat on the shoulder. ¡°I¡¯ve got two firebombs, and one flash bomb left.¡± He gave Yulia¡¯s satchel a soft tap. ¡°They¡¯ll have to be enough.¡± ¡°It¡¯s odd though,¡± Carver said, peering down into the forest. ¡°There doesn¡¯t seem to be any undead on patrol.¡± ¡°I think this part of the forest belongs to the Wargs.¡± ¡°Well, if it is, where are they?¡± The boy had a point. This section of the forest had been awfully quiet. Wargs were intelligent, prone to launching ambushes. So why hadn¡¯t they? ¡°Something¡¯s not right. I can feel it in my bones.¡± Jorg ran his fingers through his beard. ¡°But our job remains the same.¡± ¡°You believe Fria?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t see why she would lie. Her and the pale boy had been at that fort for something, and it didn¡¯t seem like they were invited. Why, you telling me you think she lied to us?¡± ¡°Just asking is all.¡± Carver pulled back from the ridge, Jorg following. ¡°If we destroy this gate, that leaves only one more, right?¡± ¡°According to the information I was given, yes. And if what Fria said was true, her and that boy will be tackling the last one.¡± ¡°What will we do after we destroy this gate? Go looking for them?¡± ¡°I suppose so.¡± Jorg thought back to the night he tried to kill that boy. He wasn¡¯t human, and he certainly was no elf, and those fangs¡­but Jorg had acted too hastily, let his faith in Argus cloud his judgement. Some things never change. ¡°We can worry about what comes later after we destroy this gate. Need I remind you the last nearly killed me?¡± Jorg said with a shudder. The gate had sapped his life force, nearly sending him unconscious. If it wasn¡¯t for his skill [Energy Resistance] he would most likely be dead. Carver turned down the hill, obviously conflicted. Argus¡¯ teachings denounced the undead and the monstrous, sometimes leaving Argus worshipers to seem like raging fanatics. But the tenants of the church were placed there for a reason. If this Darian fellow was a monster, ultimately it would be up to the elders to decide in the end. All Jorg could do in the meantime was trust his gut. The forest darkened the further they traveled, like the light was being sucked from the air. Jorg followed Carver, letting the young huntsman stay some distance ahead, his perception better tuned to the sounds of the forest. Not to mention Jorg, despite his best efforts, couldn¡¯t help but rattle his armor with each step. His mace and shield also had the bad habit of getting tangled in the underbrush. Carver raised his hand, crouching to the ground. ¡°Warg tracks,¡± he whispered. ¡°And big ones.¡± ¡°Where do they lead?¡± Jorg asked, eyes tracing the shadow cast forest. ¡°Deeper. Maybe even toward the gate.¡± Jorg still didn¡¯t know why the Wargs and undead were working together. Such a thing had never been reported before. But since they were, these tracks might lead them straight to their target. This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it ¡°We follow them for now,¡± Jorg said, anxiety bubbling in his gut. He and Carver moved further into the forest, both ready to fight or flee as the situation required. They traveled along the tracks until they led to a break in the tree line. Crouching amidst the pines, they spotted it. The gate was a pile of bones stacked atop a raised dais of rune carved stone. Dark swathes of solid shadow spiraled out from it, dark purple crystals placed around it to collect the roiling negative energy. ¡°Are there no guards?¡± Jorg asked, squinting at the darkness. ¡°Look closer,¡± Carver said, pointing. Jorg followed the boy¡¯s finger and then he saw it. ¡°A Death Knight.¡± They¡¯d fought one at the fort. It stood guarding the door into the room that housed the Nether Gate. They were like Bone Knights, but tougher and faster, and a few could cast spells. They were formidable foes, but why only have a single guard? ¡°This feels like a trap,¡± Carver said. ¡°Perhaps it is, but even so.¡± Jorg tapped the satchel with the end of his mace. ¡°If I can get close enough to lob one of these in there, gates destroyed, trap or not.¡± ¡°You think you can make it all the way there before a Warg snatches you?¡± Carver stepped back. ¡°Let me check around before we make any hasty decisions.¡± Jorg frowned. He never did like waiting. But he agreed, even if it pained him. He leaned against a tree and kept his eyes and ears open. After what felt like an eternity, Carver returned. ¡°No signs of any Wargs or the undead.¡± He looked at the Nether Gate. ¡°They likely would have attacked me if they saw me. But this isn¡¯t right. There should be more guards.¡± ¡°Perhaps we slipped through their defenses? Or maybe all their forces were focused on the fort?¡± Jorg rose, then stepped past Carver. ¡°Either way, we still have a Death Knight to deal with.¡± Jorg frowned. ¡°We¡¯ll have to draw it away from the gate.¡± He looked Carver up and down. ¡°Up for being the bait?¡± Carver scoffed. ¡°If I must.¡± ¡°Good, then I¡¯ll wait here.¡± If they tried fighting it around the gate, not only would they be drained, but the Death Knight would be constantly healed. As Jorg watched Carver walk into the field, he activated [Lesser Protection from Evil] and [Energy Resistance]. May Argus light our path. The Death Knight wasted no time charging after Carver. Undead like it were powerful, but necromancers had to give them simple orders. Perfect undead, like the kind Jorg¡¯s predecessors hunted, were intelligent and capable of rational thought and planning. But beasts like these could easily be tricked. Jorg burst from the trees, his armor clanging with each heavy step. Six Dark Crystals formed around the Death Knight''s head, two of them nearly skewering Carver as he sped past Jorg. With his enchanted shield up, Jorg was able to block the reaming crystals before he and the Death Knight collided. It brought its shield around, Jorg¡¯s holy mace sparking in divine fire as the metal smashed together. The Death knight roared, its axe coming down hard, the air rushing around it. Jorg took the blow on his shield, his knees nearly buckling. Then an arrow bounced off the Death Knight¡¯s helmet, its body encased in amber light. With it now slowed by Carver¡¯s skill, Jorg smashed into the shield again and again, driving the beast back. He cast [Holy Flame], smiling as a pillar of white light engulfed the beast, searing it in Argus¡¯ wrath. With it distracted, Jorg imbued his next attack with [Zealot¡¯s Fury]. With his mace glowing like the sun itself, Jorg cracked into the Death Knight¡¯s chest, shattering not only its armor but the bone beneath. It retaliated with a wayward axe swing, one that Jorg easily blocked, his mace smashing into the abomination¡¯s chest once again. Now off balance, Jorg bashed its knee in, his next blow clapping it on the helmet, holy light bursting as its skull turned to powder. Divine wrath filled him as he struck it again and again, reducing the monster to nothing but churned metal. ¡°It¡¯s dead,¡± Carver said from behind. ¡°Really dead, I mean.¡± Jorg stepped back, lungs near to bursting. He reached into the satchel, his fist closing around one of the firebombs. Time to end this. *** Gershank watched the paladin and sighed. He wasn¡¯t very far from him and the archer, but his unique skill [Perfect Concealment] would keep him undetectable so long as he didn¡¯t move. Watching the pair as they celebrated defeating the Death Knight nearly made him laugh. The fact they followed his tracks here also pointed to their stupidity. Gershank¡¯s kind were renowned for their ambushes, and yet they followed his obvious prints all the way to the gate. Stupid creatures, but useful. The paladin tossed his bomb into the gate, the structure crumbling as fire consumed it. That makes two gates down, and I have a feeling my pale ally will be taking the third before long. The cursed collar around Gershank¡¯s neck would constrict and suffocate him to death if he directly moved against his master. But he played the bumbling fool around her and her minions, the necromancer never knowing he knew the collar¡¯s secret. The collar would react if he attacked her or her underlings, but its effects only worked if the person who originally cursed him still lived. The paladin thrust a triumphant fist in the air and Gershank contemplating eating him. Killing him and the boy would be child¡¯s play, but he let his fangs rest. They could be useful distractions in the battle to come. But Victoria will know something is wrong now. She summoned all her undead south, leaving only a single guard. With me still among the living, she¡¯ll know I let the gate fall. Gershank¡¯s body tensed. I think it¡¯s time I take a stroll down south and pay my poor master a visit. Things were reaching the end now. It wouldn¡¯t be long until she brought all her power against the pale one and his allies. But Gershank would be there, watching from the shadows, waiting for his chance at revenge. Chapter 36 - No Time to Scream Darian squatted by the stream, Gorm and Gustan beside him, Harper standing some distance back. Fria and Zan were somewhere up ahead, the pair splitting off to do some scouting. The sky had started to darken as they entered the swamp, and they stood half shrouded in unnatural darkness. They decided to let Fria scout ahead when they discovered an ancient road, one that Darian had missed on his first trip to the swamp. If he was being honest, he didn¡¯t like being back here. The swamp was the first place he nearly died, and thinking of the buzzing blood bugs made his skin crawl. He reached out with his mind, his thoughts coalescing with the crows he had stationed in the trees above. Using [Dominate Animal] he¡¯d managed to snag seven of them on their way into the swamp. Now they stood in the branches above as sentries, told to caw if they saw the undead or anyone besides Darian¡¯s party. ¡°A rather unusual ability,¡± Harper said, looking to the sky, one of Darian¡¯s birds circling overhead. ¡°Where did you learn it?¡± Darian just nodded in response. Much to his dismay, a full day of resting had seen the woman recharged. She battered Darian with question after question, a relentless tide of inquires about his body and where he came from. He¡¯d managed to fight her off so far, but the constant torrent was testing his patience. ¡°Leave him be,¡± Gorm said, his axe resting by his side. ¡°Just trying to pass the time,¡± Harper replied. ¡°But you¡¯ve rather taken a liking to this one, eh Gorm? Found yourself a kindred spirit, perhaps?¡± ¡°It is a rather unique ability,¡± Gustan said, stuffing some strange plant into his satchel. ¡°I¡¯ve heard of deep forest druids who can control animals, but you don¡¯t strike me as the type.¡± ¡°Just something I was born with,¡± Darian said, a bit of nagging worry in his gut. Fria should have been back by now. He¡¯d told her his birds could do some scouting for them, but she was right when she said a pair of human eyes would be better. Still, if she¡¯s not back soon, I¡¯ll have some of the birds go looking for her. ¡°Born with it?¡± Harper said. ¡°Do all of your people have such an ability?¡± Darian did his best to ignore her, but the elf was the queen of asking annoying questions. ¡°Or is it a unique skill? I must confess that is one area other races excel where my kind do not.¡± ¡°Alright Harper, leave it alone.¡± It was Gustan who spoke up this time. ¡°I know you ask questions when you¡¯re nervous, but this isn¡¯t the time.¡± She almost looked offended. ¡°An inquiring mind is what sets a member of The Society apart from the common rabble. I figured you, of all people, would understand that.¡± Gustan looked ready to argue, but then Darian picked up the sound of someone approaching. ¡°Someone¡¯s coming,¡± he said. When none of his dominated birds cawed, he relaxed. ¡°It¡¯s Fria.¡± She slid down the hill. ¡°I found a camp,¡± she said, nodding over her shoulder. ¡°Looks like it belongs to the Lich cult.¡± She tapped her thumb on her chest. ¡°They¡¯re all wearing the symbol Gustan told me about.¡± ¡°A skeleton¡¯s hand on the chest piece?¡± Gustan asked to be sure. ¡°Exactly as you described it. They¡¯re building a little outpost or something in some ruins. Looks like it could have once been a town. The road through the swamp goes right through it.¡± ¡°How many?¡± Gorm asked, rising to his feet and throwing his axe over his shoulder. ¡°I counted at least fifteen, but more could be inside some of the tents or buildings.¡± ¡°Too many to take in a straight fight,¡± Gustan added. ¡°Could we go around?¡± ¡°We could, but with how much darker everything in that direction gets, I figure the Nether Gate must be close to them.¡± ¡°So if we don¡¯t take them out, they could end up hitting us in the back?¡± Darian asked, his stomach making a light grumble at the thought of more human blood. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. ¡°It¡¯s likely.¡± Fria leaned against a nearby tree. ¡°But the area around the ruins is nothing but bogs, with no clear way to sneak up on them.¡± ¡°Meaning the best way would be to take the road,¡± Darian said. ¡°Did they have any undead guards?¡± Gustan asked. ¡°None that I could see.¡± ¡°Could mean they don¡¯t have a necromancer with them,¡± Gorm added. ¡°It¡¯s the Lich Cult,¡± Harper said, approaching the group. ¡°They will be led by a necromancer and a fairly powerful one, if I had to guess.¡± ¡°So what¡¯s the plan?¡± Grom shifted, his body growing tense ¡°We could try to pick some off from stealth,¡± Darian suggested. ¡°Fria and I should be able to take down a few without alerting the rest.¡± ¡°Normally I¡¯d agree, but something¡¯s got the camp riled up. They have guards watching all around.¡± Fria shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to do.¡± ¡°I can handle the guards on one side,¡± Harper said, her usually clipped speech flat and serious. ¡°That will give us a point of entry. From there, Darian and Gorm can rush in and cause havoc. While they¡¯re distracted, Fria and I can isolate and remove any high value targets. Zan can run interference for us while Gustan hangs back and offers support.¡± ¡°How will you be able to get in?¡± Darian asked. ¡°Darling,¡± she replied, the air around her shimmering and shifting. ¡°There are only a handful of places in the world I can¡¯t sneak into. This camp will not be one of them.¡± ¡°She¡¯s right,¡± Gorm agreed. ¡°But are you sure you can handle them? Your hand still isn¡¯t healed.¡± ¡°One will have to do.¡± Harper straightened her back and looked each member of the party in the eyes, one by one. ¡°Does the plan sound sufficient?¡± Darian thought about it for a moment. ¡°I can also use my birds as a distraction.¡± ¡°They had a few horses near the back,¡± Harper added. ¡°If you could control them, they could cause some extra chaos.¡± ¡°I like where this is going.¡± Gorm smiled, his tusks digging into his cheeks. ¡°Most had swords, but there were a few armed with crossbows. I figure a crow or two pecking at their eyes should throw off their aim.¡± ¡°A grand idea,¡± Harper said. Darian gripped the handle of Sparkblade tighter, thankful Fria had picked it up for him at the fort. ¡°I guess let¡¯s be on with it,¡± Gustan said, a nervous twitch in his voice. Gorm clapped him on the shoulder, nearly sending the alchemist to the ground. ¡°Ease up Gustan. It¡¯s only going to be a little murder and mayhem.¡± *** Darian crouched behind the tree, the ruins looming ahead. The loose stone road that cut through the swamp did indeed go right through the cultist''s camp. A few half tumbled stone buildings were all that remained of whatever once stood here, but the cultists had been busy building their own fortifications. But why are they out here? Darian watched as one guard approached another, the men laughing as they separated. Hearing it tugged at Darian¡¯s heart, but he knew what he had to do. And I will control my thirst. He looked at Gorm, the big man a dark splotch against the tree beside him. ¡°Fria mentioned you might go a little crazy when the blood starts flowing,¡± Gorm whispered. ¡°Not if I can help it.¡± Darian shifted, the air thick with tension. ¡°It¡¯s not the same, but I know a thing or two about what it¡¯s like to have a side of yourself that¡¯s hard to control. But there comes a time when it''s okay to let it out.¡± He nudged his head toward the camp. ¡°So don¡¯t be afraid to go a little crazy.¡± ¡°I guess we¡¯ll see what happens.¡± Darian reached out to his birds, the crows now surrounding the camp. He could just barely make out the stables at the far end of the encampment. Once they infiltrated it, he¡¯d send the horses on a rampage. Even if they didn¡¯t kill anyone, he figured it had to at least draw some attention off them. Then, as Darian watched the perimeter, one of the guards vanished, his torch snuffed out. ¡°Chief is on the move,¡± Gorm lowered, a smile spreading across his face. Darian recalled how Harper had slipped away without a word. He didn¡¯t even notice she¡¯d gone. And she still doesn¡¯t have a weapon. But then another man along the perimeter vanished, his torch going with him. Doesn¡¯t seem to be causing her trouble. Then Gorm nudged him on the arm. It was time. The pair lowered into a crouching sprint, the loose stone of the road tapping under their boots. They arrived at the easternmost wall quickly, voices from the camp drifting on the wind. Darian crept along the wall and peered around the corner, finding three men huddled a few paces away, their hands stretched toward a small fire. With his sword clenched in his hand, Darian readied himself for what he had to do. But before he could round the corner, voices called out from the edge of camp. Then men emerged from their tents, all eyes on the other end of the encampment. ¡°Don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on,¡± Gorm said. ¡°But our job¡¯s the same.¡± Darian nodded, then burst from the shadows, his sword finding the first man¡¯s throat before he had time to scream. Chapter 37 - Murder and Mayhem Julius walked around the edge of camp, Sven hounding his heels. Though Julius was relieved that Sven¡¯s endless questions had finally ceased, his worry about the delivery team had only grown. ¡°We will send a squad to the fort in the morning,¡± Julius said, pausing under a rather sickly looking tree, his breath misting. ¡°I fear the goblins may be to blame for this.¡± Despite Sven¡¯s reassurance the previous night, the goblins hit the camp again. Worse, from amidst the chittering horde came a bolt of negative energy, one that resembled the spell [Void Bolt]. The very same spell imbued in Alaric¡¯s staff. ¡°What did we even do to the little wretches?¡± Sven spat. ¡°We did light one on fire,¡± Julius reminded. ¡°We will have to redouble our defenses. How goes the summoning circle?¡± ¡°Well, half the roof is missing, but provided it doesn¡¯t rain before we can fix it, I¡¯d say it¡¯s coming along well.¡± Julius scratched his chin. He¡¯d better go check it himself. He was about to retreat further into camp when there came the fluttering of wings above him. Julius looked up to find a fat crow perched on the branches, its eyes seeming to shimmer green in the firelight. ¡°Odd looking fellow,¡± Sven said. ¡°I think it might be the first bird I¡¯ve seen in this accursed swamp. I¡¯ll take it as a good omen.¡± Julius beckoned and Sven followed him into the encampment. The attack the previous night had sent everyone on edge. Even now, the men looked to the shadows, most unable to sleep peacefully through the night. And last night¡¯s attack had claimed the life of the camp cook. Without him, Julius feared morale would only continue to decline. But he trusted the master¡¯s purpose, whatever that purpose turned out to be. The biggest building in the ruined town was a large square on the western edge of the camp. Judging by what they found inside, it either used to be an inn, a brothel, or most likely both. The roof had caved in on one side, but it was the only enclosed space to draw the summoning circle. Julius nodded at the guard outside, the man grim faced and more than a little frantic looking. Inside, the room was cool and damp, a lonely candle all that kept the oppressive night at bay. Halvier, one of Julius¡¯ apprentices, sat in the corner, the black hood of his robe pulled over his head. ¡°How comes the circle?¡± Julius asked. Halvier jumped, then blinked into the dark. ¡°Nearly finished.¡± ¡°Will it be done by tomorrow? We must start bulking our numbers.¡± ¡°It will, sir.¡± Halvier yawned, Sven soon doing the same. ¡°Just be sure to finish it as soon as possible,¡± Julius said, turning for the exit. ¡°Men will be by in the morning with some of the goblins¡¯ corpses. These will be your materials.¡± Halvier perked up. ¡°But Alaric usually handles the summoning¡­sir.¡± ¡°Alaric is not here. You are. And so I expect you to be ready.¡± The boy frowned, but nodded his agreement. What will I do with you? Julius himself was only a few years older than Halvier, and yet he was the boy¡¯s teacher in the art of necromancy. Julius¡¯ father told him the cult was once very powerful, but the Justicars had brought them nearly to the brink of oblivion. It was his father¡¯s wish to restore the cult to its former glory, and so it was Julius'' purpose as well. Children like Halvier may lack the proper skill set to become powerful necromancers, but Julius would do what he could in shepherding them along. Outside, Julius took a deep breath, his nose wrinkling at the swamp¡¯s odor. Then he looked to his right and noticed the guard was gone. ¡°Did you hear that?¡± Sven said, pulling his sword free. Before Julius had time to question him. Sven was bounding off for the edge of camp. Cursing to himself, Julius followed. This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. ¡°By the great Lich!¡± Sven said, grinding to a halt. ¡°Sven, what are you¡ª¡± Julius paused, his mouth falling open. Behind the tree lay three bodies, their throats slashed. Julius was about to yell for the guards when he saw something shimmering in the corner of his eye. He pulled Sven back by the collar just as a blade made of pure negative energy sliced the air where his throat had been. The shimmering shape solidified then, revealing a tall Elven woman wearing a three-sided hat and a dark red coat. She jumped back, her body swallowed by the surrounding darkness. ¡°Guards!¡± Sven called, but at that moment, the entire camp erupted into chaos. *** Darian pulled his blade free, his fangs emerging as warm blood sputtered from the man¡¯s throat. Then he spun and chopped, his sword carving into a different man¡¯s shoulder. He pushed into him, his palm flashing out, [Corrosive Touch] melting the man¡¯s face. His cry was cut short as Gorm¡¯s axe nearly split him in two. Darian reached out with his mind, uttering a single command to the crows that dotted the perimeter. Attack. Gorm bellowed as he hacked down his next target. Then something seemed to come over him. His limbs jerked, his muscles and veins bulged. He reared back and howled like a beast, a wave of red energy enveloping him as he rushed into the melee at impossible speed. Fueled by the sweet scent of blood, Darian cast [Bulwark] on himself, then [Swarm] on the two men ahead. As the black bats bit into them, Gorm slashed one across the stomach, gutting him. The next fell to an arrow in the eye. A second later, Zan howled from the other side of the camp.
Buff Applied: Pack Leader''s Howl
Darian ducked, a crossbow bolt just barely missing his head. The man that shot it stood on a makeshift wooden platform not far away, another man near him hastily pulling his weapon out from his tent. Darian hit them both with [Swarm] before sending a flaming spear into the crossbowman on the platform. He fell backwards, falling to the ground as his chest blazed. The man beside him finally managed to draw his sword, but Darian¡¯s blade hacked his arm free, the next strike finishing him. Activating [Blood Shield] Darian blocked the next crossbow bolt as he rushed forward. He slashed, but this opponent was quick. He jumped back, throwing his crossbow at Darian while a small ball of flame slipped past Darian¡¯s shield to singe his arm. Snarling, Darian hacked again, the tip of his sword drawing across the archer¡¯s chest. But the man rolled, drawing a dagger from behind his back. Darian shot a shard of ice from his palm as he advanced, the spell throwing his target off balance. With a roar, he brought Sparkblade into the man¡¯s ribs, his chainmail keeping the strike from penetrating fully. But this close, and with more and more blood filling the air, Darian could no longer hold back. He grabbed the man around the shoulders and pulled him in, his fangs tearing into his throat. He jerked, his dagger stabbing into Darian¡¯s arm. Darian pulled away, blood gushing from the tear his fangs left. A screen appeared, telling him he received a temporary ability from the blood, but as it involved arrows, Darian quickly dismissed it. Instead, he scanned the chaotic encampment for his next meal. A black robed man burst from the biggest structure in the camp. He had a gnarled staff in his hands, the tip of which he stabbed into the ground. A zombie materialized from the soil a moment later, its rotting hands pulling it free from the earth. Darian activated his Ring of Summon Minor undead, commanding the undead archer that appeared to take aim at the remaining crossbowmen. As it started to fire, Darian brought his blood shield closer and advanced on the necromancer. His target noticed him coming, and sent his lone zombie to block Darian. But he¡¯d fought the creatures before and knew how slow they were. One won¡¯t be enough to save you. He waited until the zombie lunged before he dashed to the side. Using his forward momentum, he cleared the distance between himself and the necromancer in an instant. He brought his staff up, but Darian¡¯s sword cut through it, the flame enchanted steel nearly cutting the necromancer in half. Darian seized the body, his fangs ripping into the necromancer¡¯s throat. He drank, the world around him blurring.
Blood consumed: Human Necromancer (Lv.2)
The body fell away, blood dripping down Darian''s chin. He watched as Gorm¡¯s axe split a man from shoulder to navel, the half-orc¡¯s face a twisted mask of rage. Darian was tempted to let the scent of blood overpower him, but he focused through it. He crouched to the ground, the temporary skill he absorbed flowing through him, summoning a zombie from the ground. Rising, he directed it at the men Gorm was fighting. Then he turned, close enough now to use [Dominate Animal] on the horses. They were held in a makeshift stable, held to posts by thin pieces of rope. Easy for them to break. He reached out with his thoughts, the four horses shrieking as he commanded them to kill the surrounding people. Something hard slammed into Darian¡¯s shoulder and he stumbled forward, nearly pitching into the dirt. He turned and saw a man rushing for him, arcane fire swirling in his other hand. ¡°Sven!¡± one of the others called out to him. ¡°On me!¡± the man called Sven cried, a wave of blue energy flying out from his body to envelope the men around him. Some kind of buff. Darian redirected all his surviving crows and the zombie to attack this new threat. Then he raised his sword and rushed into the chaos. Chapter 38 - Surrounded by Death Darian¡¯s crow flew down from above, its talons outstretched. It collided with Sven¡¯s face, the man sputtering a curse as he backed away. Darian used this opportunity to hurl [Flame Spear] at him, but the man was fast. He rolled to the side, a ball of fire spiraling from his palm. Darian sidestepped behind his zombie, the beast grunting as the arcane fire burst against its chest. But he knew that zombies could take a beating, so he used it to shield against Sven¡¯s ranged attacks. But while Sven and Darian hurled magic at each other, two of the other cultists rushed Darian from opposite sides. They were faster now, Sven¡¯s buff boosting their speed considerably. Ducking back, Darian hit them both with [Swarm]. The man to his right fought through the sudden attack, but the one on his left paused, swatting at the summoned bats. Darian thrust his sword into the man¡¯s chest, then turned and used his body to block another fireball from Sven. Pushing the body off his sword, Darian turned and slashed at his other attacker. But the man blocked the strike and returned with a cut of his own, one that nicked Darian along the arm. Backing away, Darian blasted the man with [Flare], but the spell did hardly any damage. Tougher than the rest, are you? He came at Darian with an overhead swing, one that might have been difficult to block if a horse hadn¡¯t run him over. It trampled him, the man crying out, thrashing with his sword. Darian reached into the horse¡¯s mind, telling it not to stop until the man was reduced to paste. But a sword pierced its neck a moment later, and it stumbled to the side, blood gushing from the wound. ¡°Bastard,¡± Sven snarled, glancing at the groaning man on the ground. Darian looked internally, finding he could use his new temporary summon one more time. But I might as well use it now. He ducked, placing his palm on the ground. But Sven lunged forward, not giving Darian a chance. Sven¡¯s blade tasted dirt as Darian jumped back, fire erupting from his palm. Sven brought his blade up, slashing through the spell. Then he and Darian were locked together, enchanted steel sparking in the night. They pushed against each other, equally matched in both strength and speed. But then Sven pulled back and his knee came up, smashing Darian in the groin. He grunted, then a fist slammed into his jaw. Sven¡¯s hand pressed into Darian¡¯s shoulder, electricity coursing through him. He grit his teeth through the pain, sidestepping a thrust just in time. Vison blurring, he hacked at Sven, but Darian¡¯s strikes were knocked aside. He commanded his zombie to assist, but the creature was busy gnawing on the trampled cultist. Glancing about, he could tell the battle was turning in their favor. He could hear Gorm bellowing behind him, the crunch of bone and armor sounding off each time his axe cut into a cultist. Darian came at Sven with an overhead slash that Sven sidestepped, his elbow blasting Darian in the jaw. Tasting blood, he spun, deflected an attack, and circled. It was as they circled Darian saw Gorm be thrown back, a wave of crackling purple energy lighting the surrounding air. He needs my help. But Sven was in the way, his eyes locked on Darian. With limited options, Darian used the second summon from his ring, backing behind the skeletal warrior as he touched the ground. Sven lunged, but the skeleton¡¯s iron shield turned away the strike, giving Darian enough time to summon his last remaining zombie. He commanded both his minions to attack, an arrow narrowly missing Sven¡¯s head as he did so. Fria¡¯s next arrow, one that blazed with fire, didn¡¯t miss the mark. It collided with Sven¡¯s shoulder, flame erupting across his chest. But the man didn¡¯t relent. He fought through the pain, his sword catching Darian¡¯s skeleton on the neck, tearing its head free. But the zombie was on Sven after that, its teeth biting into his arm. Darian circled around his summon and brought his sword down from overhead. Sven jerked, putting the zombie between himself and Darian¡¯s attack. The blade slid through the zombie¡¯s collarbone, the tip tracing a searing red line down Sven¡¯s chest. Then a great force collided with Darian¡¯s body, throwing him back. He hit the mud and rolled, nearly skewering himself on his own sword. Then he rose, blade held up to block a chunk of ice flying his way. He smashed it apart, then jerked to the side as a ball of flame zipped past. A young man wearing a black robe stood by Sven now, the tip of his staff swirling with red light. Darian¡¯s zombie was at Sven¡¯s feet, its body reduced to cinders. Where is Gorm? Darian searched frantically, but found no sign of him. Then three remaining cultists, one with an arrow in his arm, circled around the newcomer. ¡°Watch him, this one¡¯s dangerous,¡± Sven said to the black-robed man. He responded by raising his arm, shadows spreading from his body to coat the ground. Then zombies erupted from the earth, six in total. Darian hurled a fire spear at the cultists, but the hasty attack was easily dodged. ¡°Where¡¯s the elf?¡± Sven asked, grimacing at the wound in his arm. ¡°She escaped,¡± the other man said. ¡°There¡¯s at least one more in the trees.¡± He motioned to the three other cultists. ¡°Find them and kill them. We¡¯ll handle this one.¡± Darian charged forward, the zombies forming a barrier. But then he pivoted and targeted one of the tents to the side with [Dash Strike]. This brought him around the horde, and he targeted the cultist with the arrow in his arm next. Using [Dash Strike] again, he was able to hack the man down too quickly for the others to react. Then he backed away, ducking as the dark-robed man sent another hunk of ice flying at him. An arrow cut through from above, striking one of the cultists in the throat. He fell, the blood from the wound flowing through the air to form a floating shield at Darian¡¯s side. Then Zan howled from behind the group, drawing their attention, if only for a moment. But that¡¯s all I need. Darian activated [Arcane Blade] to imbue his sword with [Life Leech] before hitting Sven with [Swarm]. He slashed at Sven next, but pulled the strike back halfway, turning the attack into a downward chop. Sven reacted to the feint, bringing his sword around to block, putting him out of position. Darian activated [Determined Strike], crying out as he put all his strength into the blow. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. His sword cut into Sven¡¯s shoulder and ripped down into his breastplate, leaving the sword buried halfway in his chest. The young necromancer beside him raised his staff, a great pillar of flame erupting from the tip. But Darian¡¯s blood shield was there to block it, the shield rupturing but halting the flames. Another arrow zipped through, hitting the third cultist in the stomach. But he still charged forward, Darian unable to free his sword in time to check his advance. He stepped back, the cultist¡¯s blade narrowly missing Darian¡¯s arm. Then Darian stepped forward, one hand melting into the cultist¡¯s face as the other twisted the arrow in his gut free. He screamed and dropped his sword, his hands reaching for his ruined face. Darian stuck the arrow in his throat, then kicked the body toward the necromancer, half his zombies occupied with Zan, the others turning to swarm Darian. Then Gorm lumbered out from the other side of the building, his body covered in small weeping cuts. He raised his axe and rushed the necromancer. As the man turned to face Gorm, Darian hurled a flaming spear at him, catching him in the back. He howled, stumbled a single step forward, then Gorm¡¯s axe split his skull open.
Enemies Defeated [Humans Lv. 3-8] x7 [Human Lv. 16] Companion Contribution: 15 XP Class XP gained: 176 Progress to Class Lv. 8 (260/300)
The zombies vanished, leaving only the sound of buzzing mosquitoes. Darian grunted, the pain from his wounds stinging him. Gorm appeared to be in about the same state. He looked around, blinking, the red aura around him from before gone. ¡°We¡¯re done,¡± Darian declared. ¡°How can you be sure?¡± Darian glanced at the ¡°Enemies Defeated¡± screen. ¡°I just am.¡± Zan limped up to him, the fur around his shoulder matted with blood. Darian stuck his sword into the ground and inspected the wound. ¡°Nothing too serious.¡± He scanned the perimeter. ¡°Where¡¯s Harper?¡± Fria came from the south side of the camp, Gustan trailing behind her. ¡°Where¡¯s the chief?¡± Gorm asked. Probably hiding somewhere while we do all the work. Darian looked around at the corpses, his body demanding more blood. But he focused on what Fria had said, that he decided if he was a monster or not. Still, all this killing. Did it really have to be this way? He walked over to the horse that Sven stabbed. Somehow, it was still alive. Darian retrieved his sword and thrust it into the poor creature¡¯s chest, killing it. ¡°Here,¡± Gustan said, passing Darian a small vial filled with red liquid. ¡°Drink this and I can use the vial to make another.¡± Darian nodded and drank the healing potion, the pain in his arm and back easing. Speaking of vials. He walked over to the necromancer Gorm had killed. Reaching down and touching the body, the Blood Vial in Darian¡¯s inventory was filled. Looking down at his split open head probably should have disgusted Darian, but he felt overall numb to the death around him. ¡°Harper!¡± Gustan called. ¡°Where is she?¡± ¡°Hiding, if I had to guess.¡± Fria said, inspecting Zan¡¯s wound. Gorm didn¡¯t look convinced. ¡°Chief!¡± he yelled into the night. A soft voice followed by shuffling feet answered. ¡°I¡¯m here, so quiet down, please. I have a rather explosive headache.¡± She came from around the large stone structure, the one the first necromancer had burst out from. She carried her hat in her good hand, one side of her face caked in blood. Even from where Darian stood, he could smell it. Sweet, like honey. Luckily, his stomach was mostly full. The night he gave into his thirst, he¡¯d been beaten and bled, making resistance difficult. But even if he was sated, Harper¡¯s blood had that peculiar aroma to it, like Fria¡¯s did. It was as if there was something in their blood that called to him on a deeper level than just plain hunger. ¡°Are you alright?¡± Fria asked, looking at the stinging wound on Darian¡¯s back. ¡°I can drink a bit more blood,¡± Darian answered. ¡°That should put me close to full strength.¡± ¡°Not just that,¡± she said, glancing at Harper and the others. ¡°Your thirst.¡± ¡°Handled for now.¡± Though standing around so many bodies was making him a bit dizzy. ¡°I think I can resist better so long as I¡¯m full or close to it. Plus, none of the blood smells quite as good as yours.¡± ¡°Not sure if that¡¯s a compliment, but I¡¯ll take it.¡± Darian looked her over. ¡°And you, are you alright?¡± She shrugged, her eyes drawn to a dead cultist with an arrow in his throat. ¡°I¡¯ve never killed a person before. Not until tonight.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± Darian wasn¡¯t sure what to say. ¡°I expected it to feel¡­different. But I just aimed and shot like normal, and they went down.¡± ¡°I kind of understand how you feel,¡± Darian said, the old regrets and worries beginning to gnaw at him. ¡°But we had to do it. They¡¯re allied with the necromancer, and that makes them our enemies. Right?¡± Before Fria could answer, Harper called out to them. ¡°We rest here for a few hours, and then we press on.¡± She winced, the rag held to her head coming away red. ¡°Are you certain?¡± Gustan asked. ¡°You and Gorm are wounded.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be fine,¡± Gorm said. ¡°None of my wounds are too serious.¡± Darian was about to ask why they couldn¡¯t just drink more potions when he remembered they acted like poison after a certain point. ¡°And I can just offer jolly encouragement from the rear,¡± Harper said, a weak smile forming on her lips. ¡°I am reminded why I gave up doing jobs like this.¡± ¡°You mind watching the road while we search the place?¡± Gorm asked Fria. ¡°Might be something useful on one of the bodies.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t mind.¡± Fria gave Zan a pat on the head. ¡°You stay here, Zan. You need the rest.¡± ¡°And you, mind helping me search?¡± Gorm asked Darian. ¡°Yeah, I can help.¡± The idea of looting the corpses of humans made him a bit uneasy, but Gorm was right. There had to be useful provisions in the camp. ¡°Alright then,¡± Gorm said, rubbing his hands together. ¡°This is my favorite part of the job.¡± Chapter 39 - Fresh Bodies Darian inspected corpse after corpse, his bloody hands searching for anything they could use. But most of the men he checked had little to nothing on their person, and so Gorm set to inspecting their tents and the crumbled buildings for supplies. Darian had often enjoyed looting in video games, but searching these bodies did not offer the same satisfaction. And despite his belly being full of blood already, the scent of it was so thick he couldn¡¯t keep his fangs retracted. More than once he caught someone giving him a sideways glance, but they didn¡¯t seem afraid. Though the way Darian hungered still made him a bit uneasy. In his old life, such carnage would have made him sick. But now all it did was make him hungry. Darian walked over to the horses, one of which was still alive. It stood standing at the edge of the camp, its eyes fogged over by swirling green light. Closer, Darian could see the gash in its side, one delivered by an axe, most likely. He reached out and touched the animal, feeling a bit guilty he¡¯d forced it to fight on his behalf. ¡°You won¡¯t survive alone out here, especially with that wound,¡± Darian said, readying his sword. His domination over the animal would be over before it could fight again, and so he decided to end its suffering. His blade pierced the horse¡¯s chest, the beast falling to the ground a moment later as Darian pulled his sword free of its heart. He could hear the thing thumping madly before he delivered the blow, and now its blood spurted onto the ground. He knelt and sank his fangs into the beast. Doing so when his belly was near to bursting already made him a little sick, but consuming the blood of a new creature was one of the only ways to get Race XP.
Large beast blood consumed: +3 Race XP
Darian wiped his mouth as he dismissed the notification. His race was nearly to the next level, but he felt a bit of apprehension about increasing it. He¡¯d been wondering since the incident at the fort why he was so close to losing control. Fria¡¯s blood was something he¡¯d already smelled before and overcome. He thought maybe his wounds had something to do with it, and while they certainly didn¡¯t help, there had to be more to it. That¡¯s when he realized the only other thing that changed between both incidents with Fria was his race level. What if each time it goes up, my thirst gets worse? Wanting to clear his worried thoughts, he checked the body of the necromancer next, the one who summoned a horde of zombies. Leaning down, Darian dug his fangs into the man¡¯s wrist in order to absorb a skill from him.
Blood consumed: Human Necromancer (Lv.11)
Looking internally, Darian found he could use this new skill twice before it ran out. Looks like no matter what skill I get, I¡¯m limited to two uses of it. But his Blood Vial now housed the necromancer¡¯s blood, meaning he effectively had four uses of the ability. He checked the man¡¯s staff next, surprised to find no item notification appeared. But he did shoot a pillar of fire out of it, didn¡¯t he? The staff itself was made of unremarkable wood, but the end glinted from a small red crystal, though it was duller than when Darian first saw it. ¡°Probably out of uses,¡± Gorm said, a sack thrown over his shoulder and a half-eaten potato in his hand. ¡°Still could be worth some coin if you want to hang on to it.¡± ¡°Is there a way to recharge it or something?¡± Darian asked, looking into the little red crystal. ¡°Not for us, but an arcanist could do it.¡± Gorm lowered his sack and took the staff. ¡°Mages can store their spells in the crystals,¡± he said, tapping the end of the staff. ¡°Handy for those powerful spells that can only be used a few times before they run out.¡± ¡°Good to know.¡± Darian was a bit disappointed the staff couldn¡¯t be used. The fire spell within it had been strong enough to shatter his blood shield after a single use. Fire that strong would have been handy against the undead. ¡°Might check around though. I doubt the guy only brought one staff with him.¡± Gorm reached for the staff. ¡°I can have Gustan carry it, if you¡¯d like. We¡¯ll need the gold once this is over.¡± We? Darian could pocket the staff in his inventory, but didn¡¯t want do it with the others around. ¡°Here,¡± he said, handing the item off. ¡°Just remember, I¡¯m the one who found it.¡± Gorm smiled. ¡°Claiming loot already? I like it.¡± He took the staff and walked over to Gustan, who was tending to Harper¡¯s head wound. Darian checked the other necromancer next, frowning when he rolled the body over. The boy¡¯s face was ashen, his green eyes greying, staring up at nothing. Probably only around fourteen or fifteen. A small pit formed in Darian¡¯s chest. But the boy was an enemy, wasn¡¯t he? He reached down and checked his robe, finding nothing tucked away within it. Wanting to keep his frantic thoughts busy, Darian plucked the boy¡¯s staff off the bloodied ground.
Item Obtained ¨C Strengthening Staff Lv.3 Weight: 3 Pounds
Could be useful. He checked to make sure the others were busy, and he dropped the staff into his inventory. Then he stood and stared down at the boy, the buzz of mosquitoes thick in the air. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. He reminded himself again that this was his new reality. And in this new reality, people had to die. The Lich cult might have had a good reason for allying with the necromancer. Maybe they even could have been his allies under different circumstances. But she wanted to destroy Fria¡¯s home, and Darian had committed himself to stopping her. He¡¯d originally set himself against the necromancer because of Gershank¡¯s threats, but it was more than that now. Helping Fria and even The Society to a lesser extent felt like the right thing to do. But fighting would also make him stronger, and he knew even greater challenges lay ahead. ¡°Darian!¡± Gorm called, half his body inside the big stone building. ¡°I¡¯ve found something.¡± *** Oliver perched atop the tower with his feet kicked up. The night air was brisk, cool as it blew through the ramshackle town. Victoria¡¯s undead minions patrolled below, marching lockstep as they rattled into the dark. Oliver, as he did each night, looked into that inviting darkness and thought about making a run for it. He wasn¡¯t a prisoner, at least not by any conventional means. When Victoria had made him her companion, he¡¯d been excited at the prospect of furthering his own power. But one quip too many had landed him out in the muck. Honestly, he¡¯d be long gone if he didn¡¯t worry about Victoria catching up with him. She was a fine woman and all that, well before she decided on becoming a lich. All that torture at the hands of the Justicars had really done a number on that old head of hers. But if she died, what would happen to him? All this talk of a system and some other reality Victoria spouted off was interesting to him at first, but now it terrified him. He¡¯d gained power while serving her. That much was true. Yet the curtains would close on this little show of hers eventually, and he had no intention of sticking around for the epilogue. ¡°Still,¡± Oliver said to himself. ¡°If she goes down, I might go with her for all I know. Or lose my new powers, which would be just as dreadful.¡± He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, letting the night wash over him. ¡°Sir,¡± Drell¡¯s dead, dry voice said from the stairs. ¡°A message has arrived for you.¡± Oliver sighed. ¡°You can handle this one, Drell.¡± ¡°But sir thi¡ª¡± ¡°I have faith in you, old friend! Now go and leave me to rest. You undead may not need sleep, but I do.¡± He relaxed, waiting for the sound of Drell¡¯s boots to draw away. ¡°Sir,¡± Drell said again. ¡°This message also comes with new troops. Many of them.¡± That got Oliver¡¯s attention. He jumped out of his chair and made for the stairs, Drell following close behind, his iron armor tapping against his bleached bones. Now why would Victoria be sending more troops here? She¡¯d already sent some from the northern gate, leaving the Wargs to guard it. He hadn¡¯t questioned anything then, but now she was sending even more? The ruined town was already filled to bursting with skeletons and Bone Knights. Something''s got her spooked. Down in the muddy street, Oliver found one of Victoria¡¯s personal servants, Lora, waiting for him. Behind her stood an undead woman wearing steel armor, her face pale and rotting, but mostly still held together. Even further back, he saw the shapes of several Death Knights, the smaller Bone Knights beside them. ¡°Greetings,¡± Lora said, bowing. ¡°Our master sends word and fresh troops to garrison the town.¡± ¡°Not much room for them, I¡¯m afraid.¡± Oliver squinted at the gathered horde. Had to be around thirty new bodies, as far as he could tell. ¡°She wishes for you to deal with the goblins by tomorrow night,¡± Lora said. ¡°These new troops are to assist you, and she has given you a new servant to aid in this objective.¡± Lora beckoned and the new undead stepped forward, Oliver¡¯s nose wrinkling as he smelled the rot. ¡°Hello,¡± she said, voice sounding natural, her throat not yet melted away. ¡°I am Yulia.¡± ¡°She is a cleric,¡± Lora explained. ¡°Use her to heal your wounds.¡± ¡°Well Yulia, welcome to the end of the world.¡± Oliver smiled, the undead all just staring at him with their blank eyes. ¡°I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll get along swimmingly.¡± ¡°Master also wishes for you to deal with the Lich cult.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll have to be more specific, my dear Lora. In my old line of work, dealing with someone has one very specific meaning.¡± ¡°My apologies,¡± Lora bowed again. ¡°Master wishes for you to kill them if they do not agree to new terms.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± Well, can¡¯t say I was expecting that. ¡°I suppose their latest delivery to the fort fell through?¡± Lora stood in silence, almost seeming to contemplate her next words. ¡°Yes.¡± She handed Oliver a sealed letter. As soon as his fingers touched the parchment, he activated one of his unique skills. With [Knowledge Transfer] active, his brain absorbed the contents of the letter instantly. ¡°Harsh terms,¡± Oliver said, handing the letter off to Drell. ¡°Master is done playing other people¡¯s games,¡± Lora said, her voice somehow harsher than normal, the hint of accusation in her tone. ¡°Well, rest assured I¡¯ll handle all this. Come Yulia and Drell, we have plans to discuss.¡± Oliver turned. ¡°The rest of you, set to patrolling the perimeter and keep watch for goblins.¡± The new arrivals instantly began to shuffle around, falling in behind the other undead already on patrol. Lora gave a parting bow and then walked down the ruined road to the south, two Bone Knights going with her as a personal guard. Oliver watched her go, and when he was sure she was gone for good, he turned to Drell. ¡°Drell, my good friend, I want you to deliver this message to the Lich cult¡¯s camp. Tonight.¡± ¡°Tonight?¡± he rasped. ¡°Yes. Take two of the Death Knights and two Bone Knights with you. Give them a show of force.¡± ¡°But sir, would it not be better to¡ª¡± ¡°Ah none of that Drell, especially not in front of the new recruit,¡± Oliver nodded at Yulia, the girl¡¯s waxen face blank of all expression. Drell stood silently for a moment, his flaming blue eyes staring into Oliver¡¯s skull. ¡°Very well. I will gather soldiers and depart for the camp.¡± ¡°Good man,¡± Oliver said, clapping Drell on his armored shoulder. ¡°And make sure you kill them all if they refuse. Most of them are rather weak, so it shouldn¡¯t be much trouble.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Drell snapped to attention, then disappeared down one of the town¡¯s narrow alleyways. Oliver turned to Yulia. ¡°Well, my fresh compatriot, how do you feel about killing some goblins?¡± She said nothing. Rather lively one you¡¯ve sent me, Victoria. Oliver sighed and stared up at the sky, wishing someone would finally come along and end his boredom Chapter 40 - Complications Darian ducked into the musty building, Gorm waiting inside. ¡°Over there,¡± he said, pointing with his axe at a chest in the corner. Darian started approaching it, but Gorm held him back. ¡°Could be trapped. It¡¯s why I called you.¡± ¡°Trapped?¡± Darian squinted at the squat chest. ¡°Why do you think that?¡± ¡°Never trust wizards,¡± he said. ¡°No offence.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not a wizard,¡± Darian retorted. ¡°But what kind of trap am I supposed to help with?¡± ¡°Probably a magical one, if I had to guess.¡± Darian stepped forward, Gorm eyeing the chest suspiciously. He activated [Detect Magic], blue light flooding from his body. As it settled on the room, it was drawn to the chest, but the chest itself wasn¡¯t glowing. Meaning, whatever is inside is magical. ¡°Something with magic is inside the chest,¡± Darian said. ¡°Well, got any safe ways of cracking it open?¡± ¡°None that I can think of.¡± ¡°Harper could do it, but I¡¯d rather not hear her complain.¡± Gorm pushed Darian back. ¡°Stand over there, but be ready with a potion or something in case this thing explodes.¡± He maneuvered the upper blade of his axe under the lid, working his shoulders to pop it free little by little. Then he gave it a sudden jerk, leaping back as the room flooded with purple light. ¡°What is that?¡± Darian asked, shielding his eyes with his left hand. Gorm inched closer with his axe held up like he was going to hack at the light if it looking at him funny. ¡°Nether crystals,¡± Gorm said. ¡°And charged ones.¡± Same things we found in the cave under the fort. ¡°Are they worth anything?¡± Gorm nodded. ¡°Not to most decent folk, but necromancers and the like will buy them at a high price.¡± He grabbed the top of the chest and shut it gently. ¡°But they¡¯re highly volatile, prone to explode if you handle them wrong. Best to leave them here. I don¡¯t want us blown to bits because Gustan thinks he can carry them through a battle.¡± ¡°Could we use them as weapons?¡± ¡°No. They¡¯re full of negative energy. The undead would probably just heal from the bastards.¡± He pointed at some etchings on the stone floor nearby. ¡°They probably planned on using them to summon undead from the Nether.¡± ¡°The Nether?¡± Gorm blinked at him. ¡°You really don¡¯t know much about anything, do you?¡± He stepped back from the chest, his axe slung over his shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s the realm of the dead, and it¡¯s from where necromancers summon their minions. Place loves to eat negative energy, so they offer it to the realm in exchange for servants. But stronger undead are made from real corpses, though those require time and skill.¡± He glared at the circle, his bottom lip curling in disgust. ¡°We¡¯re lucky we got here before they started summoning. A few more bodies here and we would have been in trouble.¡± He touched his arm, the flesh still puffy and red from a potion mended wound. ¡°We¡¯ve been lucky so far, but we need to be more careful next time.¡± Darian recalled how some kind of rage had consumed Gorm when the battle started. But he kept his thoughts of safety to himself and agreed with the half-orc. ¡°I think I can hear someone calling my name,¡± Gorm said, his shoulder slumping. ¡°It never ends with that woman, I swear¡­¡± Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. Darian waited until Gorm was gone before he opened the chest. My inventory should be a safe place to store these, right? Bringing up the menu made him realize just how much useless junk was inside it. I really need to remember to clean this thing out. The crystals were light, so he decided to put the entire chest¡¯s contents into his inventory. Since he healed from negative energy, they could be used as a last-ditch attempt at healing himself. Plus, he wasn¡¯t against trying to sell them once his time in the forest was over. Figure I¡¯ll need gold, eventually. He stood up and was heading for the door when he heard Fria shouting. ¡°Undead approaching!¡± she screamed, something rumbling the ground. Darian burst through the open doorway, sword ready. Two Bone Knights were charging Fria, Zan heading to cut them off. Gorm was shielding Harper and Gustan from a large, armored undead that lumbered at them with what looked like spears floating by its head. Activating [Bulwark] to strengthen his defenses, Darian rushed to Fria¡¯s aid. She rolled in the mud past him, the two Bone Knights engulfed in a purple haze, their movements faster than normal. As Darian blocked an axe swing, he saw another undead standing behind the rest. He was tall and covered in dark iron armor, a mace in one hand and a shield in the other. His eyes blazed blue as he slowly advanced. Zan yelped, the other bone knight¡¯s boot crunching into his ribs. Darian pushed the axe free from his sword and dashed into Zan¡¯s opponent, his sword cracking into the monster¡¯s armored forearm. He pulled back, both knights coming at him at once. Then he heard Fria¡¯s hissing breath, and he ducked, [Omni Element] speeding over him to explode against a Bone Knight''s chest. The arrow opened a sizzling hole in the knight¡¯s armor, and Darian wreathed his blade in electricity as he shoved it inside, the blow enhanced with [Determined Strike]. Bone gave way from the piercing attack, and the Bone Knight swung with its massive shield, catching Darian on the shoulder. Knocked back, the second Bone Knight came at Darian with an overhead chop. He brought his sword up to block it, but something stabbed into his leg, and he buckled. The axe crashed into his weak grip, Darian able to summon just enough force to keep from being cut in half. But a new enemy was coming at him from behind the rest, tall like the Bone Knights, but its body writhed in solid shadow, its green eyes narrowed behind its iron helmet. Zan bit into the Bone Knight¡¯s leg, snarling as he pulled it off balance. Darian let the axe slide down his sword and stepped back, a flaming spear smashing the Knight in the face before an electric arrow to the chest sent it to the dirt. But the second Bone Knight wasn¡¯t giving him a chance to regain his balance. It swung its shield at Darian, the massive bulk sending him crashing into the mud. As he lay there, he caught sight of a solid purple spike jutting from his thigh. Reaching down, he tore it free as he snarled, an axe coming straight down at him. But before the blow could land, Gorm was there, his axe barely catching the strike in time. Darian silently thanked the half-orc as he rolled between the Bone Knight¡¯s legs, his sword striking at the exposed spaces behind its knees. It buckled and Darian jumped to the side, more dark spears flying from the approaching monster. And just when Darian managed to get his feet under him, the smaller skeleton was there, his mace slipping past Darian¡¯s weak guard to smash his shoulder. The pain spread all the way to Darian¡¯s toes, and he dropped his sword, jumping away just as another thunderous blow nearly cracked his skull. The skeleton lowered and then burst forward with incredible speed. Darian brought his arms up, taking the blow right above his elbows. Both arms went numb, and he stumbled back. The creature went for another swing, but it was too wide. Darian stepped in close and grabbed the skeleton around the back of the head with his left hand, his right arm pressed uselessly between them. This close, the skeleton couldn¡¯t swing his mace, and Darian hit him with [Corrosive Touch], the monster¡¯s helmet melting beneath his palm. From behind it, Darian saw Gorm, Fria and Zan had finished off the two Bone knights and were busy fighting the larger, shadow covered knight. He couldn¡¯t see Harper or Gustan, but he could hear them fighting behind him. No one to help me. Darian pivoted with all his strength, doing his best to throw the skeleton to the ground. But he was too strong, and instead it forced Darian¡¯s grip to loosen, and he was pushed back. Darian activated [Summon Zombie Horde], shadows spreading from beneath him. Should''ve led with that. But he lacked mastery of his abilities, and with the fight starting so suddenly, the temporary skill had slipped his mind. But the sudden appearance of six zombies gave the beast pause, and it attempted to retreat. Not caring if someone saw, Darian pulled the Strengthening staff from his inventory and activated it twice, boosting two of the zombies so suddenly they surprised his opponent. They fell on him snarling and biting, pulling his shield from his arm. He bashed at them, crushing one¡¯s head after only two strikes. But their numbers proved too much, and he fell back, his mace torn from his grip. You¡¯re finished. The skeleton, now without a weapon, raised his left arm, dark energy bursting from it to surround his body. But whatever you did, it won¡¯t be enough to stop all of them. Then the skeleton turned and ran in the other direction. ¡°Don¡¯t let him get away!¡± Gorm said, veins on his neck pulsing as he and the knight pushed against each other¡¯s weapons. ¡°He¡¯ll warn the rest!¡± Darian rushed around his zombies, the skeleton splashing into the murky water along the ruined road. The monster didn¡¯t get far before a horde of small green creatures came rushing at it from the darkness. Chapter 41 - Goblins Darian slid to a stop, nearly slipping in the mud. The green tide of snapping creatures swarmed over the skeleton, their knives and clubs battering him to the ground. He crawled back to the bank, armor clanging with each blow. Then the largest of the creatures stepped onto the skeleton¡¯s back and cracked his helmet open with a thunderous blow from his hammer. But still the skeleton tried to flee, his bleached white fingers clawing at the dirt. Darian stepped back, gripping his right shoulder as he summoned his five remaining zombies to surround him. Some of the green creatures shook their weapons at him, but none moved directly to attack. There came a crash from behind, and Darian turned to see the two remaining knights fall to the ground. Zan was curled up nearby, unmoving, with Gustan rushing to his side. Fria gave the wolf a worried glance, but then she and Gorm moved to join Darian. ¡°Please,¡± the skeleton rasped, another hammer blow pushing him into the mud. The one with the hammer jumped off the skeleton¡¯s back as his fellows kept stabbing. He came to stand before Darian¡¯s wall of zombies, his yellow eyes narrowed to harsh slits as he spotted the bodies of the Lich cultists. ¡°Not one of them,¡± he said, voice deep and guttural. ¡°But be you food? Or ally?¡± A loud clang came as the skeleton¡¯s armor was torn through. He writhed on the ground, but small green hands and knives stabbed and pulled at the opening, and after only a moment he lay still, dead for good. ¡°What in the hells is this?¡± Gorm said, panting, a thick gash on his left arm. He squinted at the gathering green horde. ¡°Goblins?¡± The head goblin looked up at Gorm, his eyes going wide. ¡°Yazliar?¡± The other goblins behind him all stopped, their eyes glued to Gorm. ¡°Who?¡± the half-orc said. ¡°He has returned to us.¡± Another goblin whispered, the others nodding their agreement. Then, before what appeared to be their leader could say anything, the little green men starting bowing. Harper appeared, the wound on her head seeming to have reopened during the battle. ¡°I think they like you,¡± she said, giving Gorm a sly smile. The head goblin sighed. He wore fur and leather armor, his exposed arms covered in swirling tattoos. His two long ears drooped as he looked back over his fellow goblins. ¡°He is not Yazliar!¡± But the others ignored him. ¡°He has not returned!¡± They continued to bow. ¡°Who is Yazliar?¡± Darian asked, pushing past his zombies, his right arm stinging as he moved. ¡°He was a warrior who led the tribe,¡± the goblin¡¯s leader said. ¡°An orc from the south. He left us many summers ago and has not returned. The young ones have short memories, but I do not.¡± He glared at Gorm, his yellow eyes looking feral in the firelight. ¡°Why did you come here?¡± Darian asked, ready to fight if need be. ¡°To attack the camp before moving on to cleanse our lands,¡± the leader said, gesturing at the carnage with his hammer. ¡°The necromancers are a blight upon our swamp. Them and the grave taken who squat on our holy lands further up the road.¡± ¡°Well, we certainly are not friends of them either,¡± Harper said. ¡°You should have no quarrel with us.¡± ¡°Maybe,¡± the goblin said, looking over his shoulder. ¡°But why do you come here?¡± His eyes narrowed. ¡°You have the look of one from the so called civilized lands, woman. Do you come to take and steal and burn like those who came before you?¡± ¡°Only one of those,¡± she said, smiling. ¡°But we are not a threat to your little clan, goblin. Leave us be and we shall do the same.¡± Darian turned, seeing Fria standing on one of the cultist¡¯s makeshift platforms, an arrow ready. Gustan was tending to Zan, the wolf now sitting up on his hind legs, a fresh wound on his ribs. ¡°What if,¡± Darian said. ¡°We were to work together?¡± Harper snorted. ¡°With goblins?¡± Gorm glared at her, the elf surprisingly losing her smile instantly. ¡°My father¡¯s people ally with goblins regularly,¡± he said. ¡°They can be mischievous, but they¡¯ll honor a deal if their leader agrees to it. Isn¡¯t that right?¡± Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. The head goblin snorted. ¡°You have met my kind before, then?¡± He chewed at his bottom lip with sharp, yellowed teeth. ¡°What you say is true, and I am chief. But I must think on this.¡± ¡°Think quickly,¡± Harper said. ¡°They¡¯ll be expecting him back sometime soon.¡± She nodded at the armored skeleton¡¯s body. The chief grunted, then turned back to the gathering behind him. Gorm tapped Darian on the back, and the two of them joined Gustan and Zan. ¡°How is he?¡± Darian asked, frowning at the wolf. ¡°He took a bad blow to the ribs and the back. He¡¯s lucky to be alive.¡± He gave Zan a pat on the head, the wolf leaning into it. ¡°I gave him a potion, but he won¡¯t be able to fight again for some time.¡± ¡°When can you give him another?¡± Fria asked as she approached. ¡°Every creature is different, but not soon. I¡¯m afraid this was Zan¡¯s last battle for now.¡± Darian stroked the wolf¡¯s fur, the scent of his blood tickling his nose. ¡°Are we honestly considering allying with those¡­creatures?¡± Harper stood with her good hand on her hip, staring at the goblins who gathered in a large circle on the bank. ¡°It¡¯s not a terrible idea,¡± Gorm said. ¡°And we could use help.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know much about goblins,¡± Darian said. ¡°Can we trust them?¡± ¡°It depends,¡± Fria said, squatting by Zan. ¡°Each group is different.¡± ¡°But each goblin certainly isn¡¯t.¡± Harper turned to face the group. ¡°What Gorm told to you is true. Goblins will listen to their leader. But if that leader dies, their loyalty goes with them.¡± ¡°Individual goblins are sometimes seen as simple creatures by outsiders,¡± Gustan explained. ¡°But they are intelligent. Many live alongside the other people of Vizzera. And distant clans or tribes such as this one often function as a collective. But eventually they will form a chief that pools the tribe¡¯s knowledge and experience. A leader that is far stronger and smarter than the rest. But if that commander falls, the group might fall into chaos until a new goblin leader forms from the collective.¡± ¡°They could go from friends to enemies in the blink of an eye,¡± Harper said. ¡°I¡¯ve seen it happen more than once.¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t that mean we just have to keep the chief alive?¡± Darian asked. ¡°Easier said than done,¡± Gorm said. ¡°Goblin''s have to fight at the front of battle to earn their warriors respect. That makes keeping one alive harder than it might seem.¡± ¡°Still,¡± Darian glanced at the chittering creatures. ¡°If they could help us take on the gate, that would be a massive benefit.¡± ¡°And we¡¯re down one member,¡± Gustan said, Zan whimpering. ¡°It¡¯s not the worst idea. And perhaps this is a blessing.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you think Argus or some other one of your silly little human deities is behind this,¡± Harper said. ¡°But I agree that this could be an opportunity. A wall of meat standing between us and the undead has its appeal.¡± ¡°They wouldn¡¯t be meat,¡± Gorm said, his voice low, his brow drawn downwards. ¡°Don¡¯t talk about them like they¡¯re not people.¡± Harper smiled, the expression flat. ¡°Fine,¡± she said. ¡°But when this goes poorly, I would like each of you to know I saw it coming.¡± ¡°Then we¡¯re going to work with them?¡± Fria asked. ¡°Are we sure about this?¡± ¡°It¡¯s up to them, in the end. We¡¯re attacking the Nether Gate either way.¡± Darian turned, noticing the goblin chief was approaching them, two other goblins at his back. ¡°What say you?¡± Gorm asked the chief. ¡°Have you reached a decision?¡± ¡°We have.¡± The chief planted the head of his hammer on the ground, the mud squelching as he leaned on it. ¡°We can attack the undead together, but you must leave after the battle is concluded. The land they squat on is sacred to us, and it must be reclaimed and cleansed in the name of Garnack.¡± ¡°That sounds fair,¡± Gorm said. ¡°When do you plan on attacking?¡± ¡°We attack tonight. I have already sent someone to gather the rest of the tribe.¡± He sneered, his small face twisting with rage. ¡°I will not allow them to defile our holy place for one more night. The undead will be crushed into oblivion.¡± ¡°How long will it take the rest of your tribe to reach us?¡± Darian asked. ¡°Not long, but the prisoner may slow them.¡± ¡°Prisoner?¡± One of the goblins behind the chief smiled. ¡°Got him while he was running.¡± ¡°He¡¯s one of them,¡± the chief said, nodding at the bodies. ¡°He has not answered our questions about the undead army, but maybe you will have success.¡± ¡°Have you scouted the undead¡¯s stronghold?¡± Fria asked. ¡°And does the sky above it unnaturally darken?¡± ¡°We have,¡± the chief said. ¡°And the sky does darken above. They have turned the ruins there into a fortress. They number over one hundred from what we could see, though more arrive each night despite our ambushes.¡± Over a hundred? Darian knew the battle wasn¡¯t going to be easy, but he didn¡¯t think they were going to be that outnumbered. ¡°How many warriors will your tribe bring?¡± Gorm asked, the two goblins behind the chief staring at him with reverence in their eyes. ¡°We can bring sixty. The rest must remain to guard the children from predators.¡± ¡°Going to be a massive battle, then, isn¡¯t it?¡± Gustan asked, his voice shaking. ¡°It will be,¡± Gorm said, smiling. ¡°One way or another, I have a feeling this all comes to a close tonight.¡± Darian looked down the ruined road, the darkness beyond holding unseen dangers. But he was ready to end this. Gorm was right, for good or bad, things were reaching the end. Chapter 42 - Questions before Conquest The goblins gathered around fires that once belonged to the cultists. Darian watched them from the south side of camp, their gleeful voices carrying on the cool wind. ¡°They''re loud creatures for how sneaky they are,¡± Darian mused. ¡°My village has dealt with goblins from time to time,¡± Fria said. ¡°Some lived in a town up in the mountains, about a day or so away from us." She grinned. "One of the women there used to trade with father. She had an eye for healing herbs the rest of us didn''t." Then she frowned. "But that was before the Justicar¡¯s purges.¡± ¡°Justicars,¡± Gorm growled. ¡°The nation of Lonelen would do well to be rid of them.¡± He inspected Darian¡¯s arm and his shoulder. Darian had consumed two health potions, a feat that seemed to shock Gustan. But now they only had five potions left, and while the two Darian drank helped, his arm still wasn¡¯t functioning properly. ¡°Well, is it broken?¡± Darian asked. His new body was super tough, but the skeleton¡¯s mace had not only torn his flesh, but battered the bone beneath. Gorm squeezed Darian¡¯s arm. ¡°Might be cracked.¡± Then he pressed on Darian¡¯s shoulder. Darian groaned, biting back the pain as Gorm¡¯s rough fingers clamped around the wound. ¡°Well?¡± ¡°Sorry about this,¡± Gorm said. ¡°What do y¡ª¡± Gorm twisted suddenly, Darian¡¯s shoulder snapping back into place. The pain was blinding at first, but just as quickly as it came, the pain passed. ¡°Shoulder was just dislocated.¡± Gorm clapped Darian on the back. ¡°Just dislocated?¡± Darian worked the arm, his shoulder raw. ¡°It¡¯s probably still damaged. I know it¡¯s going to be hard, but try not to push it too much or it might pop out again.¡± ¡°Wonderful.¡± My passive regeneration might heal it up some before the next battle, but I can¡¯t swing my sword as hard until it¡¯s fully healed. Zan limped closer and gave Darian¡¯s hand a lick. Darian crouched and scratched the wolf¡¯s face. They¡¯d decided to have Zan guard Gustan while they attacked the gate. Zan was good help in a fight, especially with his buff ability. But with how slowed he was, the wolf would be more of a liability in the coming battle. Not that some of us are doing much better. Gorm had bandaged his arm with some medical supplies he found in one of the tents. But the bandage had a red smear down the middle, and the healing potion he drank seemed to only partially heal the wound. He was also covered in small cuts and bruises from being flung through the air by that necromancer. But he put on a tough face, doing his best to instill confidence in the group. Harper¡¯s head wound was making her see double. She had to sit or lean on something to keep from falling over. That meant the group effectively was left with three fighters instead of five. But at least Fria hasn¡¯t been injured. She still had one use of her unique skill, and besides [Flame Spear] and [Swarm], Darian still had plenty of uses left for his other abilities. This is going to be a bloody battle. If there really were more than a hundred undead up the road, Darian wasn¡¯t sure they could take them even with the goblin¡¯s help. But he was resolved to try, and so he leaned against the stone wall at his back and waited for the new goblins to arrive. They came from the marshlands to the east, a tall man wearing a black robe shuffling along at the group''s center. His face was horribly disfigured from what appeared to be an old burn. As he stomped onto the bank and observed the destruction of the camp, his head sagged, and Darian thought he heard the man mutter a curse. ¡°Guess we should get to questioning before the night runs away from us,¡± Gorm said, hefting up his axe. Darian followed the half-orc to the horde of goblins that surrounded the prisoner. All of them, save the chief, still looked upon Gorm like he was some living legend. Whoever this Yazliar guy was, he definitely left an impression on them. ¡°We do not know his name,¡± the chief said, poking a finger at the prisoner. ¡°He has been tight-lipped thus far.¡± The prisoner looked up from the dirt, his eyes latching on Darian. His foot slid back, his body growing rigid. ¡°You,¡± he mumbled, his voice shaking. ¡°Know each other?¡± Harper asked, Gustan helping her stay upright as she made her way over to them. Darian studied the man. I¡¯d remember a face like that. But then he recalled the masked leader of the cultists from the fort. The battle there was still a blur to him, but he remembered that one of them managed to escape. The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°Did you do this?¡± he asked, gesturing at the scattered bodies. ¡°Had to finish the job, did you?¡± his eyes glistened. ¡°Not quite,¡± Darian said, stepping past the others, all eyes on him. ¡°But you tried to take me prisoner, and you threatened one of my friends.¡± He nodded at the defeated Bone Knights. ¡°And you allied yourself with the necromancer. This is simply the result of that.¡± He scoffed. ¡°And would you have done anything different in my position?¡± his face became twisted in rage. ¡°I should have commanded my men to kill you on the spot. Mercy is what did this.¡± ¡°What do you know of the Nether Gate?¡± Gorm asked, taking his position at Darian¡¯s side. ¡°The one to the south of here.¡± ¡°I will tell you nothing.¡± Gorm smiled, then launched his fist into the burned man¡¯s stomach. Darian winced, having been on the receiving end of those same punches. ¡°We have already beaten him,¡± the chief explained. ¡°He is resilient for a human.¡± ¡°You¡¯re all¡­¡± he wiped the spit from his mouth, his hands cradling his stomach. ¡°Going to die in this forest.¡± Darian seized the man, heat flashing in his chest. He held him close, his pulsing veins right there for the taking. A coldness consumed Darian as he looked into the man¡¯s frightened eyes. ¡°You will answer my friend¡¯s questions, or I¡¯ll rip you apart just like I did the others at the fort.¡± Darian let his fangs emerge. Though most of the blood had run into the soil and wasn¡¯t fresh enough for drinking, its beautiful scent still filled the air. And despite being full, he could do with one more meal before the battle. A hand gripped Darian¡¯s arm. He¡¯d not realized he started leaning in for the bite before the burned man had time to speak. ¡°You¡¯ve made your point,¡± Gorm said, his voice measured. Darian unhanded the shaking man and stepped back, finding that everyone, including the goblins, were looking at him strangely. ¡°You must promise not to kill me,¡± the scarred man said. ¡°Then I will tell you what I know.¡± ¡°Sounds fair enough,¡± Gorm said. ¡°What say you, chief? Do you agree?¡± The chief looked between Gorm and Darian. ¡°I agree. But we will keep him prisoner until the battle is concluded. If he proves to be trouble or his information is false, we shall feed him to the pale one.¡± ¡°Alright then,¡± Gorm said, letting his axe blade rest on the ground. ¡°Let¡¯s start with your name.¡± ¡°I¡¯m Alaric.¡± ¡°Well, Alaric, what were you and your cultists friends doing in this forest?¡± Alaric¡¯s eyes flickered to Darian, then he began to speak. ¡°My master made a deal with the Lady of Graves to deliver powerful bodies to her in exchange for charged Nether crystals.¡± Gorm squinted at the cultists¡¯ makeshift fortifications. ¡°Was this outpost part of that deal?¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t, but I swear I do not know more about it. My mentor Julius was probably the only person who knew, and I can see his body over there.¡± He motioned past the group at the dead necromancer. ¡°Alright, now tell me what you know about the Lady of Graves and the southern gate.¡± Alaric¡¯s shoulders slumped. ¡°I confess to not know much.¡± He gulped, the goblins around him snapping their yellowed teeth together. ¡°She is a human from Lonelen, one who is unnaturally gifted in the art of necromancy. My master tried to recruit her, but she refused him. Since then, she was captured by the Justicars and held prisoner. Why they did not execute her on the spot, I do not know.¡± He pointed down the road. ¡°As for the southern gate, it is inside a ruined town, one much larger than this roadside stop. She has dozens of undead guarding it, but when we passed through, my mentor noted the eastern wall was in terrible shape, nearly crumbling from age.¡± ¡°Would we be able to knock it over?¡± the chief asked. ¡°Perhaps. But that was days ago, and the undead do not tire. They could have fixed it by now.¡± ¡°Is there anything else you can tell us about the defenses?¡± Fria asked. ¡°They have two watchtowers that face the north and a wall that surrounds all sides except the south entrance. If you were to attack it, the east or the south would be the best avenue.¡± He cupped his hands together at his waist, his eyes growing frantic. ¡°That is all I know. I¡¯m sorry that I can¡¯t tell you more.¡± ¡°Do we believe him?¡± Fria asked, eyeing everyone in the group, even the goblin chief. ¡°Humans lie,¡± the chief said. ¡°But this one tells it true. What he says matches my scouts¡¯ reports, though we didn¡¯t get close enough to notice this weakness in the wall.¡± ¡°Could that be a point of entry for us?¡± Darian asked, the thought of the approaching battle quickening his pulse. ¡°For many of my tribe perhaps, but the rest of us should exploit this southern weakness the human mentioned.¡± ¡°My team can enter through there,¡± Harper said, doing her best to stand proud despite her wobbling legs. ¡°Then all that¡¯s left is to gather at the town¡¯s edge and prepare for battle.¡± The chief turned to the horde of warriors behind him before he barked something at them in a language Darian couldn¡¯t understand. But whatever he said riled them up. They raised their weapons, hammers, spears, and crude knives all thrusting to the sky as they let out a collective war cry. ¡°I will leave some to watch this one.¡± The chief said, nudging an elbow at Alaric. Three of his warriors pushed Alaric down the road, one of them preparing rope. ¡°I guess it¡¯s time,¡± Darian said, Fria and Gorm beside him. ¡°It is.¡± Fria took a deep breath. ¡°All the gates will be destroyed after this.¡± ¡°And this foolish necromancer will soon follow,¡± Harper said, Gustan and Zan trailing behind her. Darian moved past the others, his feet carrying him toward their final conflict. ¡°Let¡¯s all try to make it through this alive.¡± ¡°Agreed,¡± Gorm said. ¡°I don¡¯t plan on letting this forest claim more than it already has,¡± Fria added. Gustan coughed. ¡°Let¡¯s all just do our best.¡± ¡°I would never dream of dying in such a dreary place,¡± Harper said. Darian summoned his resolve and walked down the road, the goblins and the others all falling in behind him. Chapter 43 - Raid Oliver walked through the muddy street, his new servant Yulia at his heels. He¡¯d thought about retiring for the night, but then the undead along the western wall had reported seeing someone in the forest. And even though Oliver probably shouldn¡¯t have, he hoped there was some interloper out there. He¡¯d been stationed in this swamp for an eternity, and besides the small entertainment the goblin raids provided, he was painfully bored. He approached the stone steps that led up the western wall, the shapes of skeletal bowmen above, their outlines silvered in veiled starlight. ¡°Wait here,¡± he commanded Yulia, the undead woman nodding at his command. Upon the wall, Oliver found Hyalm standing watch, his armored bulk taking up a large section of the walkway. He grunted something to the archers beside him when he saw Oliver, then he stood at attention. ¡°What have you got for me?¡± Oliver leaned onto the stone railing, his eyes scanning the trees beyond. ¡°Two men,¡± he said, pointing into the night. ¡°We saw them along the perimeter, though only briefly.¡± ¡°Your hand,¡± Oliver extended his arm. ¡°Sir?¡± Hyalm hesitated. ¡°Come now, it¡¯s not like we¡¯re courting.¡± Oliver smiled and slipped off his leather glove, the air biting cold on his fleshy fingers. As he gripped the undead¡¯s icy bones, Oliver activated his unique skill [Knowledge Transfer], the last several days of the undead¡¯s life flowing through his mind in an instant. Such a rush of information was dangerous, but years of using the skill had rendered Oliver¡¯s brain unique to such sudden bursts of knowledge. One young, armed with a bow. The other older, heavily armored. Perhaps a paladin? He pulled his hand away and blinked, reality coming back into focus. ¡°Have you sent out a search party?¡± Oliver asked. ¡°We have, but they have yet to return.¡± Hyalm turned, his blazing eyes narrowing. ¡°There is something in the air tonight. A tension I¡¯ve not felt since I was among the living.¡± Oliver gripped the railing and leaned over the edge, the swamp unnaturally quiet. ¡°Things are certainly stirring in our squat neck of the woods. But you worry too much.¡± ¡°An old habit,¡± Hyalm said. ¡°Though what of Drell? He also has yet to return to us.¡± That was true. He¡¯d sent Drell to the cultists¡¯ little camp some time ago. Even if the old warrior had to wipe them out, he still should have returned by now. Oliver was about to speak when a horrid howl split the night. ¡°That¡¯s close to the wall,¡± Hyalm said. ¡°Probably just a lost dire wolf howling at nothing,¡± Oliver replied, but the hair on the back of his neck stood up. Then there came a loud crash, followed by dozens of screeching voices that clawed at Oliver¡¯s ears. He spun, watching as the eastern wall collapsed, a tide of goblins washing over the rubble. ¡°We¡¯re under attack!¡± Hyalm cried, drawing his sword. Oliver smiled as he summoned his weapons. Ah, finally. Some entertainment! *** Darian crouched amidst the reeds at the water¡¯s edge, the goblin chief and Gorm beside him. Fria was somewhere in the trees behind, about a dozen goblins flanking their chief. They watched from the southern side of the town, observing the guards on the town¡¯s walls make their rounds. Gustan and Harper were somewhere further up the road and out of sight. Zan was with the goblins assaulting the wall, but he was to return to Gustan after he buffed the horde with his howl. Whether the wolf would listen or not was anyone¡¯s guess. Despite being an animal, Zan knew this battle would be a close one. Then the howl came, and Darian and the others burst from the darkness as the sound of the eastern wall collapsing swallowed the night. Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. The few skeletal guards were caught completely by surprise. Darian hacked one¡¯s head free as Gorm burst another apart with his axe. The goblin chief came in low between them, his hammer shattering a knee. Then his warriors flowed past, stabbing, biting, and crushing the loose gathering of skeletons. Darian followed them into the melee, Sparkblade a line of enchanted flame that sparked in the darkness. He couldn¡¯t see the other side of town from where he was, but he could hear the goblins shouting as they rushed in. The plan was to assault the town from two directions and then meet around the large structure in the middle. The chief said there was an ancient crypt beneath the ground there. If the gate was somewhere in this town, odds are it was in that crypt. Darian parried a sword, the skeleton¡¯s head crushed by Gorm¡¯s axe a moment later. Looking at the mounting carnage, Gorm howled, red energy flowing over him. Darian had asked him about it on their way here, and Gorm had told him it was a gift from his orcish father, a special type of berserker rage. With it, his strength and dexterity were nearly doubled for a short time, and pain became a myth. Gorm rushed into a Bone Knight just as it applied a buff to the surrounding undead. The knight blocked Gorm¡¯s strike with its massive shield, but the blow dented the metal, and the Bone Knight was forced back. With it distracted, Darian delivered an electrified sword blow to its exposed knee, the knight falling to one leg. Gorm¡¯s axe split its skull and helmet the next moment, Gorm¡¯s face twisted in rage. The scent of sour blood tickled Darian¡¯s nose as the goblins began to fall. While there were many of them, the goblins themselves were weak. And the undead did not feel fear. They gathered in the street around a shadow shrouded Death Knight, two Bone Knights flanking him. ¡°On me!¡± Darian called, leading the charge. He activated [Bulwark], then placed his palm on the ground. As the shadows spread out to summon the zombie horde, Darian reached into his inventory and pulled his Blood Vial out. We need more numbers if we¡¯re going to win this. The town appeared to have no zombies in it, so Darian had instructed to only attack a zombie if it seemed hostile. This way he could summon in support without the goblins growing confused. Though part of him doubted if they truly understood his request. Either way, we need more men. Darian downed the blood in the vial, the warmth of it settling in his stomach.
Blood consumed: Human Necromancer (Lv.11)
With the uses of his temporary skill restored, Darian summoned a second group of zombies. Then he commanded all twelve of them to rush the group blocking their way to the center of town. Instantly they obeyed, shuffling ahead of the attacking goblins to fall upon the skeletal horde. But Gorm launched himself past them, jumping as he reached the front lines. The Death Knight brought its shield up, but it was too slow. Gorm¡¯s axe bit into its shoulder, splitting bone and armor alike. Darian rushed to the half-orc¡¯s side, a flaming arrow speeding overhead. The arrow exploded right in the Death Knight¡¯s face, Darian¡¯s blade stabbing the monster right in the armpit, Darian¡¯s shoulder screaming as he did so. It dropped its shield as Darian twisted, two zombies now on its legs, keeping it from moving. Darian readied another attack, but a goblin beside him was kicked to the ground, the Bone Knight above him raising its axe. Darian put himself between the knight and its target, taking the full force of the axe on his sword. His shoulder buckled, pain spreading down his back. Goblins swarmed it as Darian pushed the axe away, teeth gritted in agony. Their crude weapons stabbed at all the monster¡¯s openings. The Bone Knight stumbled, a flaming arrow bursting against its chest, giving Darian the chance to slip in and stab his sword up and through the gap in its iron helmet. It shuddered, the goblins continuing to jab at it. Then Darian infused his blade with acid and stabbed his blade deeper, the tip of his sword scrapping as it collided with the back of the knight¡¯s helmet. It fell back, defeated. Darian spun, but the Death Knight was on the ground, Gorm bashing its head in. A few of the weaker skeletons tried piling in, but the chief and Darian¡¯s zombies were slowly pushing them back. Darian was about to join them when the sky split above his zombies, a bright light falling down and swallowing them. Darian slid to a stop, the zombies and the goblins suddenly consumed by roiling white flame. It churned, some of his zombies killed instantly. Hissing, Darian jumped back from the light. Holy damage. He couldn¡¯t let that light touch him, not even for a second. ¡°Are you the one Valmier mentioned?¡± Darian turned. ¡°The one he found at the cabin? You really pissed the old goat off, and for that, you have my gratitude.¡± Darian watched as the man bowed. He had long blonde hair and a sandy beard, and he was dressed in tight fitting leather armor, a red scarf around his neck. His right hand held a long, thin sword, his left a dagger. How did he get behind me? There were three dead goblins around him, killed so silently Darian hadn¡¯t even noticed. ¡°Yulia,¡± the man said. A woman wearing steel armor came out from an alley, her face marked here and there by signs of rot. She raised her hands, golden light flashing around the dual wielding warrior. ¡°Nothing like a Cleric¡¯s blessing to work out a stiff shoulder,¡± the man said, lowering. A creeping doubt worked through Darian¡¯s heart as he watched how gracefully the man moved. Like a professional fencer. But he was clearly an enemy, and that meant he had to be eliminated. Darian raised his sword and inched forward, he and his opponent both poised to strike. Chapter 44 - Taking Losses The man¡¯s thin blade jabbed forward, Darian backing away from the lunge. But he was unnaturally fast, closing the distance between them in an instant. Darian fainted a slash, but the man didn¡¯t bite on it. Instead, he took a half step back and thrusted, the tip of his needle like sword tearing right through Darian¡¯s chainmail and into his bad shoulder. He grinned as he pulled the blade free. ¡°Usually, I like to play with my food.¡± He flicked his dagger out, knocking an arrow from the air. ¡°But sometimes things must be devoured quickly.¡± Darian used [Dash Strike] the sudden burst of speed catching his target off guard. He brought his sword down from overhead, the man¡¯s dagger coming up to block it. But the blow was too strong, and Darian¡¯s sword pushed past the pitiful defense. *** Oliver gritted his teeth. He¡¯d underestimated the red eyed, white-haired freak. But I never make the same mistake twice. He activated his unique skill [Phase] just as the sword reached his chest. The blade passed through him, the tip sparking against the road as Oliver jumped away. The red-eyed man looked at him, puzzled. Oliver took a moment, as he often did, to appreciate the confusion. But he could only use the skill one more time. But he doesn¡¯t know that. Gold light enveloped Oliver as Yulia applied another buffing spell. He wanted his wrist healed, but it would be better to save her healing for when he needed it. Another arrow whistled through the air, coming from the forest just outside the south gate. Oliver ducked it, but he couldn¡¯t focus on the archer and the swordsman at the same time. ¡°Yulia, find and kill that bowman,¡± Oliver commanded. *** Darian placed his palm on the ground, six zombies appearing from the shadows. I have to stop them. With the goblins and Gorm occupied with the undead, the only thing standing between his enemies and Fria was himself. He commanded his new summons to attack the Cleric. But she was surprisingly fast despite the thick steel armor and heavy mace she carried. The zombies shuffled toward her, but then she turned to face them, and Darian leapt back. The sky once again split, a beam of bright light shining down from above. The holy flame swirled around Darian¡¯s zombies, half the group being reduced to ash instantly. Then the dual wielder came forward, his thin blade jabbing a zombie in the face three times, killing it. Darian used [Swarm], targeting the shadows cast by the holy fire. The oily bat shadows rose and bit at the swordsman, Darian able to smell the blood trickling from slight cuts on his body. But then the Cleric raised an arm, a blue sphere appearing around Darian¡¯s target, shielding him from the bats. ¡°My thanks,¡± he said, dashing forward. Darian twisted to the side, giving Fria an angle to shoot from. Her first shot was electrified, but the Cleric put herself between it and Fria¡¯s target. The arrow struck her right in the chest, electricity sparking and flashing off her steel armor. Then the swordsman was on Darian, and he had to watch helplessly as the Cleric marched past him and toward Fria. Thinking of his fight with Sven, Darian took a back step, then launched a knee into his opponent¡¯s groin. But he saw the dirty strike coming, moving away just before it landed. Off balance, Darian blocked the next thrust but fell backwards, his shoulders crunching into the muddy ground. He rolled, but something washed over him, his body feeling like he was swimming through syrup. He slowed me with a skill. His palm raised, a flaming spear flying out to keep his opponent at bay. And reaching out, Darian instructed his two closest zombies to assist him. He could pull the other zombies back, but by the looks of things, the goblins and Gorm needed their help. Darian¡¯s target rolled under the spear, his dagger flying from his hand as he spun. Darian ducked low, the knife just missing him. Then he watched as an oily black sphere formed, the man drawing a dagger from within. ¡°You¡¯re a companion,¡± Darian announced. The man cocked his head to the side. ¡°Astute observation.¡± He pointed his thin blade at Darian. ¡°That makes you either a companion yourself, or maybe an aspirant?¡± Aspirant? Darian didn¡¯t have time to question it, as the man shot forward, thin blade thrusting in a steel blur. ¡°Victoria killed the last aspirant that came for her,¡± he said, grinning as his knife flashed out, cutting a thin line down Darian¡¯s arm. ¡°I wonder how she will reward me for killing one myself?¡± Darian kicked, his boot thudding into the man¡¯s stomach. Now with space between them, Darian shot a shard of ice and ran behind the attack with his sword ready to thrust. But what if the attack goes through him? Darian still didn¡¯t know how the man had made Darian¡¯s sword pass through him, but if he did it once, could he do it again? He slowed his pace, turning the attack into a diagonal cut. If he went for a big attack and it passed through him, Darian would be out of position. And this was a battle where he couldn¡¯t afford to do that. Their blades met, Darian proving to be the stronger man. He pushed against the dagger, throwing his opponent¡¯s arm wide. But his thin blade came around in a blur, the edge cutting across Darian¡¯s cheek. He stepped back, ice and then flame leaping from his palm. The spells were dodged, but Darian didn¡¯t relent. His opponent was human, and that meant he would eventually tire. But Darian¡¯s shoulder screamed at him, the muscles bunching and pulling. It was a coin toss if Darian¡¯s opponent would give out before Darian¡¯s shoulder did. *** Bastard! Oliver backed away, the blows coming faster and faster, their ferocity growing as the slowing skill was wearing off. Then, as Oliver¡¯s dagger and rapier crossed to block an attack, one of the zombies lumbered up, its teeth snapping. Oliver pushed, his strength just enough to force his opponent back. He raised a palm and cast [Minor Slow], the red-eyed man¡¯s body becoming enveloped in amber light. Then he cut across the zombie¡¯s throat with his dagger, its skin scorched and peeling from Yulia¡¯s holy spell. As it crumbled to dust, Oliver stepped back and knocked another small ball of flame from the air. If he hadn¡¯t already wasted his two daily uses, he could have activated [Knowledge Transfer] on his opponent and overloaded his brain with the memories of Oliver¡¯s entire life. But he never expected someone this strong to show up. He smiled. At least I¡¯m finally cured of boredom. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. *** The scent of goblin blood was steadily growing. Darian only caught a glimpse of it, but the battle on this side didn¡¯t seem to be going in their favor. He knocked another thrust wide, his opponent beginning to slow, sweat beading on his brow. He hacked and hacked, throwing in feints to confuse his opponent¡¯s senses. And wherever he could, he tossed in a [Flare] or [Shard], the spells weak but enough to keep his target guessing. Then it happened. A parry was lazy, the man¡¯s body finally showing the effects of his fatigue. Darian knocked the dagger away, then thrust his sword. His opponent sidestepped, but the edge of the blade cut along his chest, burning right through his leather armor. He dropped his dagger and backed away, but Darian had him cornered. The only thing behind him was the side of a thick stone building and the outer wall of the town. ¡°Where is your master hiding?¡± Darian asked. The man smirked. ¡°She¡¯s no master of mine.¡± His back pressed to the wall. ¡°Answer me, and I might let you live.¡± ¡°How merciful,¡± the man said, reaching up and touching his chest, the hand coming away red. His blood was the most delicious thing Darian had ever smelled. If it weren¡¯t for the battle raging behind him and his belly being full, his fangs would have already torn the man¡¯s throat out. But the man noticed. He raked his palm across his wound, then flung out his hand, droplets of sweet blood splashing against Darian¡¯s cheek. With Darian¡¯s senses overwhelmed, the man smiled before he phased into the wall. ¡°Damnit!¡± Darian looked up. The wall was tall, but he¡¯d be able to climb it quickly. He was about to start when he heard Fria scream. *** Oliver ran into the darkness, his chest burning. How he let that man get the better of him, he didn¡¯t know. Should have just hit him with everything from the start. Ah well, I¡¯ll just have to kill him next time. Oliver turned, his wet boots squelching against the old stone road. Battle still raged in the town, but without him, he figured it would only be a matter of time until the defenders fell. There had been far more goblins in the swamps than he realized. Still, the losses the enemy suffered would keep them from attacking Victoria¡¯s crypt right away. A woman¡¯s scream split the air, coming from the direction of the forest. Ah, perhaps the archer I sent Yulia to kill? A part of Oliver¡ªan admittedly small one¡ªfelt sour about leaving his allies to die. But ah well, they were already dead, weren¡¯t they?¡± He started up the road when an enormous wolf sped out of the shadows. Oliver raised his rapier, but the beast ran right past him, off toward the direction of the scream. Then he spotted two people standing beside the road, and his mouth fell open. ¡°It takes a lot to surprise me,¡± he said, stalking forward. ¡°What in the hells are you doing here, Harpaleth?¡± ¡°It¡¯s Harper now,¡± she said, standing between Oliver and a short, terrified man. Oliver smiled at his old comrade-in-arms. ¡°I thought this day would leave a bitter taste in my mouth, but here you are.¡± He nodded at the bandage on her head. ¡°And gift-wrapped just for me.¡± She smiled in return, a black dagger materializing in her hand. ¡°I see that Tarcius¡¯ old genealogy experiment still has a mouth on him.¡± His smile faded, memories of the lab pouring into his mind. ¡°And I see you''re still the same wench who thinks she¡¯s better than everyone else.¡± ¡°Well, darling,¡± she said, taking the stance of a trained assassin. ¡°It¡¯s because I am.¡± *** Darian crashed through the forest, searching frantically. ¡°Fria!¡± he called to no response. ¡°Fria!¡± Then he heard the clang of metal and saw a flash of multicolored light. He sprinted, the sounds of battle drawing further away. Then there came a snarl in the clearing ahead, one followed by the sickening sound of steel meeting flesh. Darian broke through the trees and into the clearing. The grass was charred here and there, the buzz of magic in the air. Fria stood at the far end, her back pressed to a tree, the Cleric closing in on her. Darian hurled flame at the Cleric, the fire bursting against her back. She stumbled, and Darian saw the crumpled body of Zan on the ground, his head covered in blood. The Cleric turned, the sky opening with bright light. Darian activated [Dash Strike], moving forward just as the holy flame enveloped where he¡¯d been standing. His sword clanged against the Cleric¡¯s shoulder, her armor blunting the strike. Fria was preparing an arrow, but her arm was torn open, her right foot twisted the wrong way. Darian growled, the shape of the bloody wolf on the ground filling his body with a sensation he had never truly felt. Hate. Adding [Corrosive Touch] to his sword, he pushed down with all the strength he could muster. His shoulder popped, his arm tingling in pain and then numbness. But his sword carved through the Cleric¡¯s armor, the blade splitting all the way down into her chest. Then Fria¡¯s flaming arrow came, the tip bursting bright orange against the Cleric''s back. Darian ripped his blade free and sliced, the Cleric¡¯s head toppling to the ground. *** The old Oliver might have lost to Harpaleth, but he was stronger now. He danced around her pitiful attacks, his rapier already landing a dozen cuts across her arms and legs. It was a great joy knowing her life lay in the palm of his hand. Her little friend must have known there was nothing he could do. He stood watching, his hands occasionally fiddling with his satchel. Oh, how I love having an audience. Oliver kicked, his foot digging into Harpaleth¡¯s ribs. ¡°You¡¯ve grown soft,¡± he said, his fist crunching into her cheek, splitting it open. She spun, then spat, blood on her lips. ¡°It was you, wasn¡¯t it? The one who stole the Soul of Damnation from The Society?¡± ¡°What, don¡¯t tell me you work for them now?¡± Oliver looked her over. ¡°By the gods you do, don¡¯t you? Oh, how you¡¯ve fallen, Harpaleth.¡± He strengthened his back. ¡°But yes, I did steal it. Come now, you must have suspected me? Who else could pull something like that off?¡± ¡°I¡¯d actually expected you¡¯d died in a gutter somewhere." She smiled. "Drowned like the filthy rat you are.¡± Oliver frowned. He¡¯d had enough of this woman. But as he prepared to skewer her, she jumped back. ¡°Now Gustan!¡± The man¡¯s palm sparked, his bag catching fire. He tossed it, some of the vials spilling out, glowing in the light. Alchemist¡¯s fire! Oliver rolled forward, but the bag landed behind him, the contents exploding. Oliver sprang forward, just barely able to keep a grip on his rapier. Then he rolled across the ground, his back and legs on fire. As the pain threatened to overwhelm him, he activated his unique skill [Restore], the flames sputtering out. Harpaleth appeared above him, her dagger coming down from high up. Oliver raised his rapier, ready to skewer her, but then a dark bolt exploded against her shoulder, sending her flying through the air. Oliver rose, Hyalm and two of his Death Knight¡¯s coming toward him from the town, dark energy swirling above a Knight¡¯s head. ¡°The battle is lost,¡± Hyalm said. ¡°We must retreat.¡± Oliver looked around. ¡°Oh, yes. My thoughts exactly.¡± He spotted Harpaleth on the ground some distance away. She wasn¡¯t moving. Then he turned as he heard a whimper. The alchemist was on his stomach, his back and legs singed from the flames. Oliver walked up to him, Hyalm and the others close behind. ¡°I¡¯d love to savor this, but where has the time gone?¡± He thrust his rapier into the man¡¯s neck, the tip sinking into the earth beneath his throat. He jerked, then fell onto his face, blood pooling around his head. ¡°Well then,¡± Oliver said, the undead a dark silhouette against the flames. ¡°I think we¡¯d best be away from this place.¡± Chapter 45 - Blood and Chaos Darian pushed the undead Cleric¡¯s body out of the way as he rushed to Fria. Her bow fell from her grip, her face ashen. Darian managed to catch her before she collapsed, but the smell of her blood twisted his thoughts, scattering them like leaves in a storm. ¡°Zan,¡± she rasped, her eyes looking over Darian¡¯s shoulder and down at the crumpled body of the wolf. Darian lowered her to the ground. The skin on her upper right arm was ripped, bone poking through the pinkish flesh. And her foot was bent to the side, her boot torn and bloody. ¡°Zan,¡± she said again, her eyes glistening. Darian turned, the sound of battle still fresh on the wind. Without him, he couldn¡¯t be sure Gorm and the chief would be able to hold out. And if the chief died, the other goblins could abandon the plan. But I can¡¯t leave Fria. Darian reached a tentative hand out, his palm resting on Zan¡¯s bloody fur. To his surprise, the wolf was still breathing. Darian immediately opened his inventory and pulled a health potion out. This would leave him with only one, but if it could save Zan¡¯s life, he didn¡¯t care. He popped off the cork and opened the wolf¡¯s mouth, the crimson fluid sliding down Zan¡¯s throat. The wolf¡¯s eyes flickered open, but then they closed, his breath slowing. ¡°Zan!¡± Darian shook the wolf, his body limp. He looked at Fria, but she was slipping in and out of consciousness. Removing his remaining health potion, he poured the contents into Fria¡¯s mouth. ¡°Hey!¡± he said, gripping her shoulders. ¡°Stay with me!¡± Panic seized him. Despite his skill in taking lives, he had little idea of how to save one. ¡°Fria!¡± He leaned forward. Her heart is still beating. The familiar sound of rattling bone consumed the clearing. Darian spun, snatching his sword up as he rose. A group of skeleton warriors had wandered in from the direction of the town. They formed a half circle as they saw him, their group numbering eight. Darian¡¯s eyes shifted across them. He was still wounded from his earlier fight, his shoulder bunched and his sword arm weak. His adrenaline kept him upright, but for how long? But Fria and Zan were behind him, and that meant he had to fight. He reactivated [Bulwark] and inched forward. An arrow sped from between the trees, the tip striking one of the skeletons before exploding. Then a short man barreled out from the darkness, his mace shining in his gauntleted hand. Darian blinked at him, then joined the battle. He rushed in, his sword coming down on a skeleton¡¯s shield as Jorg¡¯s mace shattered a skull. More arrows sped from behind, the skeletons forced on the defensive as Darian battered them the best he could. ¡°Back!¡± Jorg ordered. Darian wanted to defy the Justicar on principle, but he could feel the tingle in the air. He jumped back, and the area around the skeletons swirled and shimmered. Bright light exploded in their midst like a bomb, holy energy reducing several of the skeletons to ash. The few that remained were killed soon after. Jorg¡¯s mace and Darian¡¯s sword making quick work of them. As the last of the creatures crumbled, Darian turned, ready to fight if he had to. But Carver came running from the trees. He slid to a halt beside Fria and Zan, his voice cracking as he called for the Paladin¡¯s aid. ¡°What happened?¡± Jorg asked, tossing his mace and shield to the ground beside the wounded duo. ¡°They were attacked by a powerful undead,¡± Darian replied, nudging the armored corpse of the Cleric with his foot. Jorge placed a hand between Zan¡¯s shoulders. ¡°He lives, but with these wounds¡­my healing will not be enough.¡± ¡°Try.¡± Darian stood back and watched as golden light enveloped the wolf, the fresh wounds across his head and ribs healing. But the wolf still didn¡¯t stir. Jorg rose and then knelt by Fria, but the girl awoke and pushed him back. ¡°No,¡± she said. ¡°Heal Zan.¡± Jorg looked down at Fria¡¯s twisted foot. ¡°You need it, miss Rostcliff. And the wolf is probably a lost cause.¡± He placed a bloody palm on her arm, Darian noting the paladin¡¯s armor was dented along the shoulder, its surface marked by recent battle. Again, she pushed him back. ¡°I don¡¯t want your healing.¡± Jorg frowned, glancing at Zan. ¡°Fine, but I can only cast the spell once more this day. Are you sure?¡± Fria nodded. Jorg healed Zan a second time, the wolf¡¯s eyes opening slowly. Darian watched Jorg as he rose. If he sank his fangs into him, he¡¯d probably gain the greater healing spell he did last time he tasted the paladin¡¯s blood. With it, he could heal Fria. He stepped forward. ¡°Darian,¡± Fria whispered, tearing him away from his darkening thoughts. ¡°I¡¯ll be fine. Go.¡± She nodded toward the town. ¡°I¡¯ll stay with her,¡± Carver said. Can I really leave her? Especially with someone who already turned against me once? ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡± ¡°Gorm and the others need you,¡± she said. ¡°This is bigger than just me.¡± Darian bit his bottom lip, then glared at Carver. ¡°Keep her safe,¡± he commanded. The young huntsman nodded. Darian strode toward the town, Jorg snatching up his gear and following close behind. ¡°What¡¯s the situation?¡± Jorg asked. ¡°We allied with goblins to attack the town and destroy the Nether Gate,¡± Darian said, ducking under a low branch. ¡°Since you¡¯re here, I guess you succeeded in destroying the other gate?¡± ¡°We did,¡± Jorg answered. ¡°But goblins? You allied with those filthy creatures?¡± Darian recalled what Fira had said about her mother. That she lost her leg when Justicars arrived to exterminate a goblin village she was staying in. He turned on his heels. ¡°Yes, goblins.¡± Darian was worn down, his body sore and bleeding, his mind still pierced by worry and panic. He could not afford Jorg adding to his troubles. ¡°They are our allies. If that troubles you, then leave.¡± Darian stepped closer, staring down at the Paladin. ¡°And if you harm them or anyone else in my group, you will not leave this forest alive.¡± Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. Jorg just looked up at him, a flat frowning forming on his face. ¡°You¡¯ll get no trouble from me.¡± ¡°Good.¡± Darian turned, his brow drawn downward as he broke into a sprint. *** Everything was blood and chaos. The corpses of goblins littered the streets, small battles breaking out across the town as the battlelines had completely dissolved. Darian searched the carnage for Gorm, but he couldn¡¯t find him. ¡°By Argus,¡± Jorg said, covering his mouth with the back of his hand. Something inside one of the stone buildings was burning, dark smoke billowing out from its windows to fill the air. Darian pressed through it, his blade falling on a skeleton as it cornered a goblin. ¡°Where is the chief?¡± Darian asked. The small creature pointed down a side street, the flesh on his arm flayed. ¡°Gather any survivors you find and head for the center of town,¡± he commanded the small creature. Jorg followed as Darian ran, their boots echoing against the cobbles. The street eventually rounded, bringing the pair to a large courtyard where they found undead gathering around the town¡¯s central building. ¡°The gate is inside there,¡± Darian said, pointing. Jorg needed no other instruction. He ran into the melee, striking down the undead with his mace. And as he reached the front lines, the sky above the horde opened, holy flame falling to engulf the monsters. ¡°Darian!¡± Gorm said, coming from a nearby alley. His left arm hung limp at his side, a nasty gash running down from his shoulder to his elbow. Behind him came the chief, his body dirty but without wounds. ¡°Where did you go?¡± the half-orc asked. Darian rushed toward the battle, speaking as he ran. ¡°I had to save Fria.¡± Gorm joined him and brought his axe down from overhead to split a skeleton¡¯s skull. ¡°She knew the risks," he said, a measure of bitterness in his voice. ¡°We nearly lost the battle at the south gate without you.¡± Guilt tugged at Darian¡¯s heart. But what was he supposed to have done? Left her to die? A great rumbling came from behind the oak double doors. Darian, Gorm and the goblins each backed away, the undead forming up around the building¡¯s entrance. Jorg remained at the front, his golden mace bashing apart the defenders. But then the doors burst open, a monstrosity of flesh and metal lumbering forth. ¡°A flesh golem!¡± Gorm cried, his eyes going wide. ¡°Fire!¡± he called. ¡°We need fire!¡± Gustan had given Darian a few vials of his alchemist¡¯s fire before the battle. He¡¯d have to thank him for them once it was over. Darian reached into his inventory, not caring who saw. He pulled one vial out after another, handing them off to the chief and his goblins. The Flesh Golem was towering as its full bulk emerged from the building. But the goblins tossed their vials, and within moments the shrieking mass of flesh was burning. Darian reared back, a flaming spear from his palm flying out to smash into the creature¡¯s midsection. It howled, one arm punching out, acid splashing down on the skeletons and goblins alike. The green creatures screamed, clawing at their melting flesh. The sound dug at Darian¡¯s ears, and he rushed forward, his sword bursting with acid of its own from [Arcane Blade]. He slashed across the monster¡¯s lower half, rotten blood spilling out. But the attack was shallow, Darian¡¯s arm too weak to deliver a decisive blow. He made out the shapes of the arms and legs, heads and torsos that made up the creature¡¯s body. Disgusted, he hit it with [Shocking Grasp] before he jumped back, a massive club of an arm nearly smashing him to pieces. Jorg came from Darian¡¯s right, his mace flashing as it crunched into the monster. Still burning, it continued to howl as its other arm came down and collided with Jorg¡¯s shield. The Justicar was forced down from the blow, falling to one knee as the crushing weight threatened to flatten him. Surprisingly, Gorm came to the man¡¯s aid. He hacked at the monster¡¯s arm, his blows still thunderous despite being delivered by a single arm. Seeing that the beast was occupied, Darian turned to his left and hacked down an armored skeleton. The goblin chief¡¯s hammer split another¡¯s chest apart, and then they advanced, the ground clattering with bone as the defenders fell one after another. Once they reached the building¡¯s entrance, they turned, the air split by tiny shafts as goblin archers took aim at the remaining monster. Fire flashed all across the beast¡¯s hideous form, its arms battering Jorg as he absorbed the blows, Gorm landing hits where he could. Then Darian and the chief joined them, a combination of hammer and sword that saw the creature fall to the ground. Prone, the flames sputtered out, leaving a charred body that filled the air with a putrid odor. But the beast still lived, and it groaned as it rose. Though it didn¡¯t get far before a horde of angry goblins swarmed over it, biting and stabbing. ¡°Go!¡± Gorm called, his axe driving into meat. ¡°Burn the gate!¡± Darian looked through the open doorway. Stairs led down into the darkness, candles flickering in small alcoves within the wall. He didn¡¯t want to leave them, but the gate needed to be destroyed. He rushed down the steps, his hand reaching inside his inventory to pull out his last remaining vial of alchemist¡¯s fire. The gate itself sat within a large circular chamber at the end of the stairs. Bones were piled around it, swirling shadows whipping the air. This close, Darian¡¯s skin felt like it was threatening to peel off. With a grunt, he tossed the vial through the air. It collided with the pile of bones, fire spreading as something beyond the writhing shadows shrieked. Then the darkness exploded, throwing Darian back. When he rose, there was nothing but a burning pile of bones to mark where the gate once stood.
Quest Completed: Enemy of the Grave God Objective: Destroy all three Nether Gates [Class Lv. 8 Reached] [Race Lv. 3 Reached]
Race Evolution: Lesser Vampire - Vampire
Unique skills unlocked [Summon Giant Bat] [Summon Wolf Pack] [Talon of the Night]
Skill Evolutions [Bloodthirst] has evolved into [Bloodfrenzy] [Life Leech] has evolved into [Life Drain] [Swarm] has evolved into [Biting Swarm]
Traits gained & Altered
[Total Lv. 10 Reached] Congratulations!
Darian watched as the notifications appeared, his body shifting, growing stronger¡ªhis fangs becoming thicker. Then he turned, pained shouting from above drawing his attention. Chapter 46 - Tears and Goodbyes Darian rushed to the surface, his body much faster than it was only minutes ago. Outside, the air was choked with the cries of the dying, their shouts and moans mixing with the smoke that rolled across the battlefield. Darian found Gorm leaning against a small shed, acid burns across his torso. The Flesh Golem¡¯s body had fallen apart. It now rested outside the crypt as a congealed mass of oozing flesh. Darian¡¯s now heightened Perception let him smell each disgusting detail. ¡°Is it over?¡± Darian asked Gorm.
Enemies Defeated [Skeletons Lv. 1-4] x16 [Bone Knight Lv.10] x2 [Undead Cleric Lv. 15] Companion Contribution: 26 Class XP Gained: 211 Progress to Class Lv. 9 (271/450)
¡°I believe so,¡± the half-orc let his axe fall to the ground. ¡°Jorg went to check on Fria and Zan.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll join him,¡± Darian turned, but Gorm gripped him by the wrist. ¡°Will you go find Harper and Gustan? Gustan used to be a doctor. The goblins could use him here sooner rather than later.¡± With Darian¡¯s enhanced hearing, he could hear each of their desperate pleas, each of their final breaths. He attempted to shut out the wave of sights, sounds, and smells that assaulted him, but it was nearly too much to handle. ¡°I¡¯ll get him,¡± Darian said, pulling his hand away. He marched away from Gorm, goblins scurrying through the streets. Many had died in the assault, and many more lay on the ground breathing their last. Their blood was sour, and it wrinkled Darian¡¯s nose. They ignored him as he passed, too preoccupied with gathering and tending to the wounded. He spotted the chief at the south gate near an old well. It looked like he and a few of his men were trying to gather water to put out the fire that still raged in one of the buildings. Darian thought about helping him, but his head felt like it¡¯d been split by an axe. The never-ending stream of information his upgraded Perception provided was pounding in his skull, and he was thankful when he passed into the darkness of the northern road. Walking along the ancient stones, he overheard Harper¡¯s voice. It was soft, rhythmic. Is she singing? The thought of her singing nearly made him smile, but then he smelled the blood. Harper was sitting on the grass, Gustan¡¯s head in her lap. She stroked the old Alchemist''s cheek as she mumbled a song to herself, her left shoulder blackened, and her face smeared with blood. ¡°What¡­¡± Darian looked down, Gustan¡¯s blank eyes staring back at him. ¡°Happened?¡± ¡°Oliver,¡± she said. ¡°Oliver Swink. He found us when he fled the town. If only I had been faster¡­¡± The ground around Harper was soaked in Gustan¡¯s blood, the nearby grass and earth scorched by what Darian guessed was an explosion. With his race level increased, Darian expected the scent of his blood to be overpowering. But whether it was his shock or something else, his thirst was under complete control. ¡°Was this man human?¡± Darian asked, though he already knew the answer. ¡°He is. Well, if you can call such a black-hearted bastard human.¡± Darian knelt beside Harper, his chest heavy. ¡°I let him get away,¡± he said, guilt tearing into him. ¡°I had him cornered, but he walked right through the wall like it wasn¡¯t there.¡± Harper laughed, the sound desperate and pained. ¡°It¡¯s not your fault. Had I only known he was here¡­¡± She rubbed the dirt from Gustan¡¯s face. ¡°I¡¯ve now lost four of my men to this damned forest. But I never thought I would lose him.¡± Darian reached out, his hand resting on Harper¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± He didn¡¯t know what to say. He didn¡¯t know Gustan well, but the man had saved Fria¡¯s life, and that made him a friend. As Darian¡¯s guilt and sadness became tinged with rage, a notification flashed into existence.
Quest Added: Failed Experiment Objective: Kill and consume the blood of Oliver Swink
He didn¡¯t need a quest to want the man dead. This was just an added incentive. And I¡¯ll probably face him again before too long. He looked down the road that wound its way further south. Somewhere at its end was the necromancer. She was the one who set all this in motion. She was the one who killed Fria¡¯s father, Gustan, and all the others. And she would pay for it all.
Quest Added: Preemptive Deicide Objective: Kill Victoria Williams
Even more reason to remove her head from her shoulders. Harper shivered, an icy wind griping her. ¡°Harper,¡± he said in a soft voice. ¡°We need to go. You can¡¯t stay out here.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll not leave him.¡± A tear worked its way down her grimy cheek. ¡°Let me carry him.¡± Darian rose. Harper, with one last caress, lifted Gustan¡¯s head and laid it gently on the grass. Then she got to her feet and backed away, wincing at her wounds. Darian picked Gustan¡¯s body up, surprised at how light it was. I¡¯m sorry. Even though Harper told him it wasn¡¯t his fault, there was a shame that now dogged his steps. A shame he now wished to carve out of Oliver¡¯s flesh. *** Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. The goblin chief threw the torch, the great funeral pyre blazing to life in an instant. He spoke low in a language Darian couldn¡¯t understand, his fellow goblins each bowing their heads in prayer or respect. Gorm stood beside Harper, his body rigid. He¡¯d burst into an angry rage when he found out what had happened. Then tears had come, and watching such a powerful man embrace his friend for the last time nearly sent Darian over the edge. But he had to hold it together, if not for his sake, then for the others. Fria and Zan were with Carver in one of the smaller buildings. Fria was stable, but Zan wasn¡¯t likely to survive the night. Jorg said there are some wounds so deep that even magical healing can¡¯t fix them, at least not the kind he was capable of. They decided to give their remaining healing potions to Gorm. Fria¡¯s foot and arm were broken and the potions they had wouldn¡¯t be enough to get her upright. She was to stay in the town with the goblins until the necromancer was defeated. Darian stepped back, the pyre burning brighter, the heat tingling his skin. The goblins had worked surprisingly fast. They added their dead to the pyre with brutal efficiency. But it wasn¡¯t done out of malice. Even with the Nether Gate destroyed, the land they stood upon was rampant with necromantic power. Corpses left in the town for too long would become undead. And so they piled up their fallen brothers, and now prayed to the ashes. Gustan¡¯s body was in there somewhere. Harper wanted to bury him, but Gorm convinced her this was for the best. With the last gate destroyed and the necromancer¡¯s army crushed, she might try to flee the forest. That was why Darian and Gorm were leaving soon. They wouldn¡¯t give her more time to escape. The chief wrapped up his speech, then turned and approached Darian. ¡°You still sure that¡¯s where she¡¯s hiding?¡± Darian asked, nodding toward the south road. ¡°I am,¡± the chief turned a sad yellow eye to his gathered warriors. ¡°I lost forty of my tribe today and I cannot risk more falling. I¡¯m afraid you will have to face her and the crypt alone.¡± ¡°Not quite alone,¡± Gorm said. The greater potion he drank had healed his arm enough he could use it again, but the flesh was still puffy, and he grunted as he lifted his axe. ¡°And my holy mission remains the same,¡± Jorg said, giving the goblins a disgusted glance. ¡°The necromancer will burn in Argus¡¯ holy fire.¡± The Cleric Darian killed had apparently been a member of Jorg¡¯s party. She was burning now with the rest, but Darian couldn¡¯t bring himself to feel any sympathy for her, even if she had become an undead against her will. ¡°Let me say goodbye to Fria,¡± Darian said. ¡°Be swift, the necromancer may already be readying herself for a retreat,¡± Gorm said, returning to stare at the blazing fire. Darian worked his way down the street, bones scattered everywhere he looked. The battle hadn¡¯t been long, but so many had died, and for what? This necromancer has much to answer for. He approached the small building and worked the door open. Harper was seated by Fria¡¯s bed. She had disappeared after Gorm added Gustan¡¯s body to the pyre. Zan was near them, laid atop a pile of musty blankets. The wolf still breathed, but it was shallow and wheezing. Carver was also in the room. The young huntsman leaned against the far wall but seemed to be distracted by his own thoughts. ¡°Leaving?¡± Fria said, sitting up. ¡°I am.¡± He stood in the middle of the room, worry nipping at him. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯ll be fine staying here?¡± ¡°The chief has offered to protect me until you return,¡± she said. ¡°And honestly, what other choice do I have?¡± Her foot and arm were bandaged, a wooden splint fashioned to her leg by Gorm. But without any potions or magic, she wouldn¡¯t be able to move properly for weeks, maybe even longer. ¡°Never thought it would go like this,¡± she said. ¡°But Darian, know that you don¡¯t have to do this. This was our fight, not yours.¡± ¡°I told you I would help and so I will,¡± he said. ¡°The necromancer must answer for what she¡¯s done.¡± A coldness washed over him, and he welcomed it. ¡°Darian,¡± Harper said. ¡°If you encounter Oliver again, do not let him touch you with his hands.¡± ¡°You know him, don¡¯t you?¡± She nodded. ¡°He is an old acquaintance of mine from back in Vizzera.¡± She rubbed her hands together, her right shoulder bandaged, but Darian could smell the charred skin beneath. ¡°A disgraced Vizzeran nobleman, Tarcius Tenactus, is responsible for Oliver. The man was obsessed with creating what he called an ¡®artificial god¡¯. He experimented on many women and children, fusing noble bloodlines together to create what he believed would be a perfect being. This led to the failed experiment that is Oliver Swink, a bastard but one who has the unique skills of four different bloodlines.¡± ¡°You said not to let him touch me. Why exactly?¡± ¡°Out of his skills, Knowledge Transfer is the deadliest. It allows the user to absorb the memories and experiences of objects they touch, but this can work in reverse. If Oliver touches someone, he can overload their brain with his own memories. By flooding someone¡¯s mind with too much information, they either die or succumb to insanity. Being touched by him will end with you dead in either case.¡± She leaned back, her wooden chair creaking. ¡°Phase allows him to pass through solid objects, but only for three seconds at a time. Restore reverses time on his body by five seconds, healing any wounds he sustained in the five seconds before he activated the skill. He has a fourth unique skill, but he never showed it to me. It¡¯s either very situational, or his trump card.¡± ¡°I nearly killed him once. He won¡¯t survive a second encounter. But thank you for the information.¡± Darian shifted on his heels, the thought of ripping that man¡¯s throat out filling his mind. His blood had been the best thing Darian had ever smelled, and he would taste it before the night was through. ¡°Please see that you do.¡± Harper rose, teeth gritted as she pushed through the pain. ¡°I must talk with Gorm before he leaves. Excuse me.¡± She moved past Darian and out into the night. Carver moved off the wall, his face rigid and serious. ¡°And I¡¯m going with you.¡± ¡°You should stay here. Boy,¡± Jorg said, entering the room. ¡°You¡¯ve done well to make it this far, but the fight ahead will be an ugly one.¡± ¡°I ran,¡± Carver said. ¡°When they ambushed us. I can¡¯t return to my village wearing such shame. I will fight. I have to.¡± ¡°I say let him come,¡± Darian said, turning to face the Justicar. ¡°The boy isn¡¯t a soldier or an adventurer,¡± Jorg argued. ¡°He should stay behind.¡± ¡°I¡¯m old enough to be a man,¡± Carver cut in. ¡°That means I can make my own choices. And I¡¯m not asking for permission.¡± ¡°Carver,¡± Fria mumbled. ¡°Are you sure about this? Your father¡ª¡± ¡°My father won¡¯t suffer a coward. I can¡¯t go back to him until I¡¯ve made amends.¡± Despite saying he wasn¡¯t looking for permission, Carver¡¯s desperate eyes shifted over to Darian. ¡°I think he could be useful,¡± Darian said. ¡°And I¡¯ve fought with him before. I know his aim is true.¡± ¡°Indeed,¡± Jorg said, stroking his beard. ¡°But we can¡¯t afford to protect him. Not with what we must do.¡± ¡°I can protect myself, Jorg.¡± Carver straightened his back. ¡°Argus has taken the two of us to this point and he will see us the rest of the way.¡± Jorg sighed, but relented. ¡°Alright boy.¡± ¡°You should probably be on your way,¡± Fria said. ¡°Agreed. Let us fetch the half bree¡ª¡± Jorg coughed. ¡°Let us fetch Gorm and be off.¡± Carver followed Jorg, leaving Darian and Fria alone. ¡°Be careful,¡± she said. ¡°I¡¯ll be back by tomorrow night, don¡¯t you worry.¡± He walked over to Zan and squatted. The wolf''s eyes flickered open, and he tried to raise his head. "Easy buddy," Darian said, running his hand along the wolf''s face. "Just focus on resting." The others doubted he would survive, but Zan was strong. If any of them could survive such a beating, it was the wolf before him. Darian rose and gave Fria and Zan a parting look. "Make sure you come back to us," Fria said. Darian turned for the door, anxiety welling up inside him. ¡°I will, I promise," he said, his conviction restored. "No matter what happens.¡± Exiting the building, he found the others gathered outside. ¡°Ready?¡± Gorm said. ¡°How¡¯s the shoulder?" Darian worked it. Gorm had to pop it back into place for him once he calmed down, and it felt even weaker than it did prior to the battle. But he would have to manage. ¡°It¡¯s good enough,¡± Darian said. Harper stepped forward. ¡°I expect to see you both back here tomorrow night.¡± She walked around Darian, then turned, some of her old confidence restored. ¡°Gorm, be sure to retrieve the artifact. And Darian,¡± she smiled. ¡°Well, just do what you do best. Especially if you find Oliver.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± ¡°Good.¡± She looked over the group. ¡°Now go and teach this necromancer some manners.¡± Gorm grinned, Carver gulped, and Jorg whispered a prayer to Argus. Then together they walked south, the necromancer¡¯s crypt their final destination. Chapter 47 - Family Victoria stood in the crypt¡¯s central chamber, panic, fear, and anger swirling within her. She touched the gem embedded within her flesh, old memories of flame and destruction whipping at her thoughts. Lora, Pasitus, and Nalmar stood beside her. Despite being nothing but bones, Victoria could sense their anxiety. They shuffled in place, their hands fidgeting. They¡¯d lost their home once already, and now they would do so again. But she would not let them fall. She pulled the Soul of Damnation from her chest, the purple crystal whispering at the edge of her mind. ¡°Here,¡± she said, passing the stone off to Lora. ¡°Mistress, I must continue to voice my displeasure.¡± ¡°This is an order.¡± Victoria could force them to obey if she wanted. Her divine skill [Grave Lord] could dominate their will. But she would only do so as a last resort. Nalmar shuffled forward, his bony feet echoing in the silence. ¡°We followed you to that prison and we followed you here. Why abandon us now?¡± ¡°I would never do such a thing.¡± Victoria grabbed his hand and forced the gem into it, curling his knuckles around it. ¡°But I will not have you die with me.¡± ¡°We only exist to serve,¡± Pasitus said. ¡°Throwing us out into the world¡­where will we even go?¡± As much as it hurt her, there was only one option that would keep them safe. ¡°Go west and then north through the Blackheart Forest. There is a keep there. Your bodies should naturally be drawn to the negative energy inside it.¡± ¡°And what awaits us at this keep?¡± Nalmar asked. ¡°The Lich Cult.¡± Victoria¡¯s shoulders sagged. She didn¡¯t trust them, or even like them, but she knew of no other group who would welcome displaced undead. ¡°They would make slaves of us,¡± Pasitus said. ¡°I know Arch Lich Calhaven. He will treat you fairly, so long as you prove useful. That, and I¡¯m delivering him a very precious gift.¡± Victoria looked at Nalmar¡¯s closed hand. She could still hear the haunted voices within. The Soul of Damnation was a powerful artifact, but one she hadn¡¯t fully mastered. An ancient lich like Calhaven could use its power to the fullest. Even if she hated him, he would bring untold death and destruction to Lonelen and their Justicars. ¡°Leave with us,¡± Lora said, gripping Victoria¡¯s arm. ¡°There is no sense in staying.¡± ¡°I¡¯m tired of running,¡± Victoria replied. ¡°And I will join you, but only once the intruders are slain.¡± ¡°If you have such confidence, then why not let us stay?¡± Victoria turned to Pasitus. ¡°Each of you is too weak to make a difference. Those who destroyed the gate and killed Adenion and Valmier are surely on their way here. No. Only Oliver and I will stay.¡± She nodded at the two Death Knights in the corner. ¡°These will guard you on the way.¡± ¡°If this is what you truly want,¡± Lora said. Victoria¡¯s heart was gripped by an icy claw. These people were the closet thing she had to family in this world. Telling them to leave dug at her soul, but if she died in the coming battle, surely they would be killed soon after. They had helped her when she first arrived in this world. Without them, she would have died long ago. Sending them away was the last thing she wanted, but it was the only way they could survive. ¡°Deliver the Soul of Damnation to Calhaven and he will welcome you with open arms,¡± Victoria looked each of her old friends in their blazing eyes. Then she backed away, her death knights pressing past her. ¡°They would better serve you here, mistress,¡± Lora said, gesturing at the knights. ¡°And Hyalm already leads a squad to protect us.¡± ¡°I will have Oliver and my summons. I can afford to ensure your safety.¡± The far door opened, Oliver entering with a trio of skeletons behind him. They carried chests and bags, Oliver only carrying his rapier. ¡°I see everyone has gathered,¡± Oliver said. Then he squinted at the group. ¡°Where is old Hyalm?¡± ¡°He is waiting outside the tunnel,¡± Victoria answered. ¡°The others will soon join him.¡± ¡°Others?¡± He grinned. ¡°Are we not all leaving?¡± Victoria narrowed her eyes. ¡°You and I are staying to face the Aspirant. Everyone else will head north. We¡¯ll join them once the battle is over.¡± Oliver¡¯s smile vanished. ¡°You can¡¯t be serious?¡± He eyed the others. ¡°Stay? My skills haven¡¯t even refreshed.¡± ¡°Then you will have to rely on your rapier.¡± She stepped closer, Oliver sliding back. ¡°I believe the pale one you fought is the Aspirant Darian, the one my quest wants me to kill. If you nearly bested him, then surely the two of us can kill him without much trouble.¡± ¡°But he won¡¯t be alone,¡± Oliver argued. ¡°Some of my old¡­friends could be with him. They are a tricky sort. Fighting them should be a last resort.¡± ¡°Are you afraid?¡± Victoria said, darkness spilling from her body. ¡°We will face them here. You have no choice in the matter.¡± His lips curled into a frown. ¡°Fine.¡± He glared at the others. ¡°Well, what are you lot waiting for? Get on with it.¡± If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Lora, Nalmar, and Pasitus all bowed to Victoria. ¡°Be safe,¡± she said, placing a palm on Lora''s and Pasitus¡¯ shoulder. Then she turned and commanded the knights to protect them. The trio left through a door at the opposite end of the room without comment. Once the death knights passed behind them, Victoria sealed the door from her side. There would be no turning back. ¡°Well,¡± Oliver said. ¡°What¡¯s the plan? Wait here and wait for them?¡± Victoria thought about sending Oliver out on his own. His skills at assassination could prove useful, but the man was a coward. If he left the room now, he would surely slip away. ¡°We will both remain here. I¡¯ve sent some of my undead to slow their advance and inflict injury. The rest on their way here.¡± I will run no longer. And it couldn¡¯t be a coincidence another Aspirant was coming to kill her. The system itself seemed to pit them against each other. If she ran, then surely fate would only bring them together once more. The Gods of this world were the Aspirants of old, that much she knew. But the Demon God hadn¡¯t told her much more than that. It was he who told her about this forest, yet nothing had gone right since she arrived. Perhaps he drew pleasure from her misfortune. Either way, she had a battle to prepare for. *** Darian checked his new skills as they made their way down the road.
Summon Giant Bat Uses: 2 (Daily)
Summon Wolf Pack Uses: 4 (Daily)
Talon of the Night Uses: 4 (Daily)
Interesting. Darian glanced at the others. Though the screen floated there for all to see, none had a reaction to it. He moved on to investigating this so called ¡°Divine Skill¡± next.
Blood Lord [Blood Lord] is a multilayered skill and is the first step on your road to godhood. This skill will evolve for every ten total levels you gain. Your current level cap is (20). To raise this cap, the (8) remaining Aspirants must die. Your cap will increase by (10) for each Aspirant that is slain. [Vampire¡¯s Kiss] your Divine Skill now allows you to turn others into Lesser Vampires. Lesser Vampires you create will only be able to reach Race Lv. 3, where they too unlock the ability to create Lesser Vampires. To do this, simply bite and nearly drain the creature to death. Then allow the creature to drink your blood. They will transform within (24) hours. [Undead Affinity] As a vampire, you have some connection to and some control over the undead. Any undead you summon or create will now have all of their attributes and damage increased by (3) for each Race Level you have obtained. [Beast Affinity] As a vampire, you have a connection to the predators of the night. Any beast you summon or create will have all of their attributes and damage increased by (3) for each Race Level you have obtained. [Blood Knowledge] Your Divine skill gives you dominion over blood. By touching the blood of a living creature, you will know their Age/Class/Level and if they suffer from any illnesses or diseases. Additionally, you may now store up to two different attribute bonuses or temporary skills from drinking blood, rather than one. [Bleed Resistant] You are now 75% resistant to bleeding.
Godhood? Darian stared at the different abilities his divine skill allowed him. He could make other people into vampires now. Meaning, I wouldn¡¯t be the only one. But he didn¡¯t have time to consider this, as a dark structure loomed ahead. Not having much time, Darian opened his Class Selection menu. He had gained a class level when he destroyed the gate, and he eyed his new unique class [Blood Squire]. Looking over the abilities, he noticed it would unlock the advanced unique class of [Blood Knight] after five levels. Darian quickly invested his new level into the class, the attribute bonuses higher than any other class level up to this point.
Blood Squire Lv. 1
Blood Strike (Basic) Uses: 5 (Daily)
Blood Mist Uses: Infinite
Darian looked over his new skills, divine, racial, and class based. It was going to be a lot to remember, but he felt power surging in his veins. ¡°Looks like some of the dead have come to face us,¡± Jorg said, halting the group. A derelict mansion stood ahead, its moss-covered walls and roof crumbling. Darian pushed past the rest, his ears picking up the footfalls of the undead. He raised his sword. It seemed he¡¯d have the opportunity to test his new powers sooner than he thought. Chapter 48 - Closing in The bushes along the road rustled, the snouts of undead wargs and wolves pressing through the underbrush. Their maws dripped with greenish liquid, each undead eye trained on Darian. ¡°More in the trees!¡± Jorg yelled. Arrows came from above, their tips glistening with strange fluid. Darian sidestepped the first volley, Jorg raising his shield and Gorm backing away. Then more came, their shafts almost too dark to see in the night, even for Darian. Carver returned fire as Darian rushed to cut off the undead on the road. While he was poison immune, those standing behind him weren¡¯t so lucky. And wanting to test his new abilities, he activated his unique skill [Summon Giant Bat]. It appeared first as an expanding wisp of solid shadow. Then it stretched and twisted, fading to reveal a giant bat that flapped above Darian. It was huge, the size of a fully grown man. Reaching out with his mind, Darian commanded the bat to take to the trees and eliminate the archers. After it screeched into the darkness above, Darian then activated [Summon Wolf Pack]. His wolves appeared before him, already in full sprint. The only indication they were summons rather than normal wolves was their glowing, crimson eyes. They collided with the undead, their jaws snapping, blood spilling onto the ground. Darian used the blood to create mist above them, blocking the archer¡¯s line of sight. The summoned wolves were significantly weaker than their undead counterparts, but Jorg and Gorm came rushing in, mace and axe cutting down the monsters. And even with Darian¡¯s injured shoulder, his new strength and speed allowed him to carry his fire enchanted blade into the horde without trouble. He hacked at rotting faces, chopped away at limbs, and painted the ground with rotten blood. ¡°Back!¡± Jorg commanded, an orb of light swirling within the horde. Darian and Gorm retreated, the magical ball exploding, killing two of the undead wolves, leaving the warg to fend for itself alone. An arrow from Carver thudded into the warg¡¯s head, Gorm¡¯s axe cutting it down a moment later. Darian rounded the warg and brought his blade down on an undead wolf further up the road. Its jaws were clamped around one of Darian¡¯s summons, but the monster released as Darian¡¯s sword crunched into its head. His summoned bat screeched, two skeletons falling down from the branches above. Commanding his two surviving wolves to tie up the other undead, Darian rushed the downed archers. Using a [Dash Strike] to speed his steps, the first died after only a single blow. The second crawled on the ground, its bony fingers digging at the stones. Jorg¡¯s mace crashed down on its head, his shield coming up to block an arrow. Raising his arm, another orb of light materialized in the trees. It exploded, sending bones and charred bits of wood to scatter across the ground. Gorm grunted, an arrow lodged in his upper arm. With a snarl, he tore it free and advanced, his axe carving a bloody ruin through the wolves. Darian followed him, their weapons rising and falling with a rhythmic, brutal efficiency. Then the forest fell into a deep stillness, the heavy breathing of Darian¡¯s party the only sound to break the silence.
Enemies Defeated [Skeleton Lv. 2] x6 [Flesh Hound Lv. 6] x4 [Flesh Hound Lv. 9] x3 Class XP Gained: 116 Progress to Class Lv. 9 (176/450)
Guess the ones my summoned creatures kill count as me killing them. Good. Darian turned as he heard something metal strike the road. Gorm hit the ground, the veins around the arrow wound turning purple. ¡°Here,¡± Jorg laid his mace down and pressed his palm to the gash. ¡°I will cleanse you.¡± Gorm smirked, his face dripping with sweat. ¡°A Justicar tending to a filthy half-breed like me? What would your precious Argus think of you?¡± Light flashed from Jorg¡¯s hand, the poison fading. ¡°Argus would know I only do so out of necessity. We will need you for the battle to come.¡± Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°Keep your eyes open,¡± Darian said to Carver. ¡°Could be more waiting in the trees.¡± ¡°Perhaps this was only meant to slow us down?¡± Jorg said, picking up his mace. ¡°Or to take as many of us out as possible before the big showdown.¡± Gorm winced, his wound trickling blood. ¡°Can you still fight?¡± Darian asked the half-orc as the group advanced. ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve noticed, but my skin is tough.¡± He nodded at the puncture in his arm. ¡°Another gift from my father. Arrow didn¡¯t bite too deep. It¡¯ll need tending to sooner rather than later, but I can fight for now.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Darian said, pausing before the rotting structure. Its walls were slanted, the ground around it churned by dozens of bony feet. And from the great open door came the scent of rot. ¡°Certainly smells like the right place,¡± Gorm said, inching toward the inviting darkness. ¡°Be sure to watch your aim,¡± Jorg said, nudging Carver on the arm. ¡°I will.¡± The young huntsman leaned forward, his eyes squinting at the blackness. ¡°Can¡¯t see a thing in there.¡± Jorg¡¯s mace lit up like a torch, golden light spilling from the metal. ¡°I¡¯ll lead.¡± Darian could see perfectly fine, but the place could be trapped. If someone was going to be skewered by a spike, he preferred if it was Jorg. The floor was made of loose fitting and cracked stone, the interior walls supported by wooden beams. ¡°Looks like they¡¯ve been renovating,¡± Gorm said before he stopped and pointed. ¡°There¡¯s a hole ahead.¡± The central room of the mansion had a winding staircase on both sides and a balcony teetering above. But the floor had been carved out, a tunnel dug into the ground. ¡°Looks like there are candles down there,¡± Jorg said, peering into the hole. ¡°Her lair must be below.¡± Darian overheard Gorm mutter a curse and Carver take in a sharp breath. The scent of rot and decay wafted up from the hole. But beyond that was a sensation, a form of solid dread that worked its way across Darian¡¯s skin, chilling him despite his resistance to the cold. ¡°May Argus guide our steps,¡± Jorg said as he entered the tunnel. *** Oliver inched further and further toward the back door. Victoria was still standing in the center of the room, but she was now surrounded by a small army of skeletons and zombies. Some came from her various summoning skills, but most were reserves pulled from the mansion above and the crypt. Oliver figured she meant to wear down the attackers with sheer numbers, but he wasn¡¯t going to stick around long enough to find out. Victoria had been cracking for a while, but now she seemed to have lost her mind completely. Her face was blank once second, then rage filled, then solemn. And her orders and tactics didn¡¯t make any sense. She sent their poison equipped squad out solo. If she wanted to have her glorious last stand, then wouldn¡¯t they have better served here? And she¡¯d used the skill [Flesh to Dust] on herself. A few moments after her death, a horde of the undead would appear. Maybe she meant it as a way to kill her enemies in the event she died, but Oliver could see the desperation in her eyes. She didn¡¯t think she was going to make it out of this alive. Her refusal to retreat still baffled him, but maybe the Justicar¡¯s torture had done more harm than he realized. She was a broken mess as far as he was concerned. Perhaps she wanted revenge for Valmier, or perhaps her last shred of sanity had slipped and now she wished to meet her end in the crypt she planned to build an empire from. Oliver¡¯s back pressed into the door. It was barred from his side. All he needed was a distraction, and he would be gone before Victoria realized. He still wasn¡¯t sure what would happen to him after she died, but staying could guarantee his death. Maybe if Victoria was acting rationally, they could win, but she was grief stricken. Mad. And Oliver had dueled with the other Aspirant. Even with the physical buffs Yulia provided, he was still forced onto the back foot. This Darian fellow was strong. Not as strong as Victoria, but Oliver knew the pale man had allies. He smiled. At the very least, Victoria never realized who he worked for. He knew she had suspicions. His saving her in her hour of need was no coincidence, and she knew it. Yet she kept him around. Probably just to keep an eye on him, but still. At least with her gone, he could go back to doing what he truly loved. And so he waited for the intruders. As soon as they appeared, he would open the door at his back and flee into the night. Then he would track down her lost little undead and kill them for good. The Soul of Damnation would be his to deliver to the Lich Cult. And he knew Calhaven would pay him well. He grinned. Perhaps things in this forest would have a happy ending after all. *** Darian now walked at the front of the group, Jorg pressed in behind him. But there were no traps, no pitfalls, and no undead. The crypt itself was an excavated ruin. Dozens of tunnels led off from the main one, ending in dead ends or sparse rooms. ¡°She has fled,¡± Jorge whispered. ¡°Cowardly creature.¡± But Darian could feel something tugging at him. A pull on his flesh that grew stronger the deeper the tunnel took them. It was as if a loose thread of fate was growing tighter, the strand ready to snap. He stopped before a set of thick double doors, the sound of dozens of shuffling feet beyond. ¡°I think she¡¯s just past here,¡± Darian said, his fingers pushing against the wood. ¡°Then my holy mission can finally reach its end.¡± Jorg raised his shield and mace. ¡°I¡¯ll do my best to cover you,¡± Carver said, taking a back step. Gorm turned to Darian. He said nothing, but the two exchanged nods. With tension filling the air, Darian opened the door. Chapter 49 - End of an Aspirant Darian entered the room, Jorg and Gorm right behind him, Carver a little further back. ¡°By Argus,¡± Jorg mumbled, then raised his mace, golden light enveloping the party.
Buff Applied: Lesser Protection from Evil
The large circular chamber was filled wall to wall with an army of skeletons and zombies, two Death Knights flanking the necromancer. The skeletons appeared to all be the lower-level type, but the sheer amount of them was almost enough to give Darian pause. Almost. He marched forward, the undead parting down the middle to reveal his true target. ¡°You have come,¡± the woman said. Her hair was long and black, her clothes dark beneath the plates of bone armor that covered them. In her hands was a massive scythe, the blade flowing with solid shadow. One of her hands was pale and marked by rot, but the other was fleshless, white bone tight against her weapon. ¡°I have.¡± She smiled, her face twitching. ¡°And you are Darian, I presume?¡± ¡°Enough talk,¡± Jorg said, raising his mace. ¡°Let¡¯s crush this abomination and be done with this.¡± But Darian halted the paladin, noting that despite his fervor, his body shook with fear. ¡°How do you know my name?¡± She flicked her wrist, and a screen appeared, one that Gorm and the others couldn¡¯t see, but Darian observed it clearly. Turning her hand, the screen rotated to face Darian.
Quest: Preemptive Deicide Objective: Kill Darian Carmine Bonus Objective: Kill Fria Von Rostcliff
¡°You really are like me,¡± Darian said. She drew her hand back, the screen vanishing. ¡°And you are an Aspirant come to claim my life. Know that you aren¡¯t the first.¡± The others were growing more tense by the second, but Darian motioned for them to calm. This was his chance for answers. Battle could come after. ¡°What is an Aspirant?¡± He¡¯d heard and seen mention of it, and Oliver had directly called him one. She laughed, the sound haunted and dry. When it finally ceased, her face grew stern. ¡°You truly don¡¯t know?¡± ¡°What are we waiting for?¡± Gorm whispered, sweat beading on his brow. ¡°I don¡¯t,¡± Darian stepped forward. Talking was distracting her, giving him the opportunity to get closer. ¡°We are gods in the making,¡± she looked over to Jorg. ¡°All the gods in the world of Aelon were once Aspirants. Each one pulled from earth, as far as I can tell.¡± Her face tightened around a sneer. ¡°Ten are summoned, but only one can ascend. The others must die. They are sacrifices, In a sense¡± Her eyes narrowed as they rested on Darian. ¡°The system wants us to kill each other, and it will do what is necessary to force our paths to cross. Even if I ran, another Aspirant would surely find me. Know that even if you kill me, you will not be safe until the others are dead.¡± Darian was about to move closer when Jorg rushed past him, his eyes frantic and wide. ¡°I will hear this wench no longer!¡± he cried, the zombies and skeletons closing in around him as Victoria backed away. Damnit! Darian lowered into a lunge, his powerful legs propelling him through the air a moment later. Victoria was caught off guard, her scythe coming around too slowly to block Darian¡¯s attack. With acid added to his sword from [Arcane Blade], Darian activated his new skill [Blood Strike], sacrificing 10% of his health as he did so. Holes along his arms opened, his blood swirling from them to coat the blade in red energy. His sword sunk into Victoria¡¯s shoulder, tearing right through her armor of bone. She shrieked, shadows exploding from her body to knock Darian away. Then her scythe came around, the dark metal sparking as it collided with Darian¡¯s blade. Since she was a summoner, he expected her to be weaker, but her physical strength wasn¡¯t much less than his. They grunted as they pushed against each other, but her undead were closing in. Darian let go of his sword with his left hand and gripped her wrist, [Corrosive Touch] melting away her flesh. Then he pulled away, spinning, his sword dashing apart the skeletons that stood too close. Victoria brought her scythe down in a savage chop, but the strike was predictable. Darian sidestepped it, then feinted. She rotated, bringing her scythe around to block an attack that never came. Instead, Darian thrust, his sword slicing across her stomach. She came back with another powerful slash, but Darian ducked it, throwing in more feints as he scored a cut along her arm and thigh. But then she ducked, her palm pressing into the ground. Darian dove at her, but a powerful explosion sent him rolling back. ¡°Oliver!¡± she called. ¡°Assist me!¡± As Darian rose, he spotted Oliver at the other end of the room. He was pulling on a thick metal bar that locked the far door. As the metal screeched, Victoria spun. ¡°You useless coward!¡± She raised her scythe, a dark pool of energy swirling around it, four Death Knights materializing from shadows that stretched along the ground. The knights broke into a full sprint toward Oliver, the man frantically trying to get the door open. Darian didn¡¯t know what was going on, but he didn¡¯t care. He ducked under the axe swing of a Death Knight and activated [Dash Strike], his sword infused with his new evolved skill [Life Drain]. He thrust it into Victoria¡¯s body, the tip bursting through her ribs. But the sensation was odd, like he was cutting through an empty body. And though blood poured from the wound, it smelt of decay. He twisted the blade as a bolt of purple energy shot from her scythe, the spell missing Oliver to collide with a beam along the far wall. The wood groaned, then collapsed, bits of the ceiling falling free. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Darian pulled out his sword and slashed, but a solid tendril of shadow appeared from beneath Victoria, blocking his strike. She stumbled back, blood oozing from her wound. But she pressed a palm to it, dark energy flashing out, the puncture slowly closing as her Death Knights advanced. Then the zombies fell on him, dozens strong. He backed away, hacking heads free with each powerful strike. But more and more flooded in, pushing him back as Victoria healed. He heard an explosion behind him, turned to see shamblers reduced to ash by one of Jorg¡¯s holy spells. Gorm was close by, Carver loosing arrow after arrow to assist the half-orc. Darian backed toward them, the undead flashing with energy as Victoria activated multiple buffing skills. They attacked faster, iron blades and snapping teeth forcing Darian on the defensive. He blocked and slashed, parried and thrust, his body a whirlwind of destruction. But then a blade caught him on the arm, a strip of flesh going with it. Darian snarled, his back nearly pressed to the wall. He ducked a crystal of solid darkness from a Death Knight, the beast shoving the other undead aside as it charged. The axe came down with crushing force and impossible speed. Even with the extra stats Darian¡¯s new race level provided, he still just barely managed to block the attack. And as axe and sword sparked together, the skeletons rushed in. But an explosive arrow knocked the horde back, giving Darian enough space to shove the axe aside. As the Death Knight stumbled off balance, Darian drove his sword up, [Determined Strike] added to the thrust. It attempted to swivel, but Darian¡¯s sword slipped in right under its helmet. He could feel its skull burst as the tip of his sword pierced the bone. Reaching out, he hit the monster with [Shocking Grasp] and he twisted his blade free. The monster fell forward, landing with a crash. ¡°Gather on me!¡± Darian cried, his sword cutting a charging skeleton in half. Jorg raised his shield and battered the undead, giving Gorm and Carver enough room to join Darian. ¡°The damned wench is summoning more of them,¡± Jorg said, holding back the tide. Gorm¡¯s axe fell, splitting a skull. ¡°Darian,¡± he said. ¡°I¡¯m going to use my orcish rage. When I do, I want you to fall in behind me.¡± He glanced back. ¡°And no matter what happens, keep moving forward.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll cover our advance with my summons,¡± Darian said. ¡°Jorg, I want you to use whatever holy magic you have left to clear a path. You¡¯re the only one with the skills to do it.¡± ¡°I have two explosive shots left,¡± Carver added. ¡°I¡¯ll use them when you get close.¡± Darian nodded. They had to take her out swiftly, or else the horde would wear them down. ¡°Let¡¯s do this.¡± Gorm howled like a beast, a wave of red energy coating his body. Darian summoned his giant bat next, commanding it to head straight at Victoria. With luck, it would keep her from hurling spells at them. As it took to the air, Darian activated his three reaming uses of [Summon Wolf Pack], creating nine wolves in total. They ran in a triangle formation with Gorm in the middle, his axe carving a ruined path toward the necromancer. With the wolves providing cover, Darian ran behind Gorm, Sparkblade cutting down any undead foolish enough to stand in their way. And ahead, three orbs of light appeared on the ground, directing them at Victoria. Then, as Jorge pressed in alongside them, the orbs exploded in holy light, turning some of the undead to ash and sending the others scattering. But the path to her was now clear, at least for the moment. Gorm bellowed, his axe raised high as their target grew closer. But then, from beneath her, a dozen tendrils of writhing shadow appeared. They stabbed out at blinding speed, piercing two of Darian¡¯s wolves, his bat, and then Gorm. The half-orc stumbled, blood splattering Darian¡¯s face. He glanced as he kept running, saw Gorm fall to the side, one of the tendrils piercing his face. Then an explosive arrow knocked the approaching Death Knight back, Jorg rushing in to hold back the rest. Darian activated [Blood Strike] again using the maximum 15% of his HP he could use for the skill. Then he leapt as tendrils shot out, threatening to impale him. One caught him along the calf, tearing a chunk out as Darian hit the ground. He rolled back to his feet as the stone beneath him cracked under Victoria¡¯s attacks. More tendrils whipped out, one slicing down Darian¡¯s chest while another ripped across his thigh. He grunted, blood running down his body. But he couldn¡¯t slow. If he didn¡¯t take her down now, they were finished. The entire room shook as another wooden beam burst. Before long, the entire chamber could come down on their heads. Knowing it was all or nothing, Darian put all his strength into his good leg and lunged forward, Victoria backing away, one hand still held to the wound Darian had already given her. There was a black flash as her scythe came around. Darian lowered, the curved blade passing right over his head, his flesh tingling from the energy within it. Then he slashed, his sword digging into Victoria¡¯s ribs. He gritted his teeth, pushing with all his strength, his shoulder screaming. The shadow tendrils whipped around, knocking him away. And despite how hard he tried, his right leg was ruined. He stumbled, hardly able to keep himself upright. The shamblers and zombies formed up, Carver crying out somewhere behind as they fell upon him. But then came a bestial roar, and Gorm¡¯s axe cut the monsters down. His face was bloody, a torn hole where his left eye should have been. But he pressed forward, Jorg right behind him, his holy mace flashing with each crushed skull. Darian limped at Victoria, the necromancer oozing rotten blood. She dropped her scythe, fire pooling in both her palms. At this range, Darian wouldn¡¯t be able to dodge her spells. He lowered, ready to make one last attack. The air behind Victoria shimmered and shifted, a great toothy maw appearing. Victoria turned, her eyes widening in shock. She twisted around and lunged forward, but it was too late. The teeth clamped around her upper shoulder, her entire left arm swallowed in the warg¡¯s massive mouth. Gershank grunted, tearing a massive chunk of Victoria¡¯s body with him as he pulled away. Then a glowing red collar appeared around his neck, tightening as the warg fell to the ground thrashing, bloody foam on his lips. Victoria stumbled toward Darian, maggots writhing inside her torn body. Her desperate eyes met his, and her lips moved as if she was trying to say something, perhaps some last plea for mercy. But Darian stepped forward and slashed, his sword slicing through her neck.
Congratulations!
Quest Completed: Preemptive Deicide Objective: Kill Victoria Williams
More than half the undead in the room vanished as Victoria¡¯s head rolled across the rumbling ground. Those that remained were quickly dispatched by Jorg and Gorm. And as they battered down the necromancer¡¯s remaining forces, the collar around Gershank¡¯s neck fell away, then crumbled to dust. ¡°Many thanks,¡± the warg said as he rose. ¡°Had to wait until she was properly distracted. Though it looks like you got the final blow.¡± He looked down at the Necromancer¡¯s corpse and spat, the ceiling cracking above. ¡°Well, you¡¯d best be off.¡± He turned toward the open back door. ¡°Be seeing you.¡± Then he ran, his bulk disappeared beyond the doorway. Darian limped forward and scooped up the necromancer¡¯s scythe. A notification appeared, but he ignored it, pushing the scythe into his inventory. Then he turned as boots thudded up behind him. ¡°We need to go.¡± Gorm tossed his axe to the ground and hooked an arm under Darian¡¯s shoulder, helping him stand. ¡°Damnit!¡± Jorg yelled from behind. Gorm and Darian turned to find the paladin hoisting Carver onto his back. The young huntsman¡¯s face was milk pale, and blood leaked from his open mouth. A chunk of the ceiling collapsed near the door they entered from. ¡°Follow the warg,¡± Darian said, pointing with his bloody sword. ¡°There should be a way out through there.¡± Gorm nodded, took a single step, and then the ground exploded with darkness. ¡°What in the hells?¡± Gorm moved faster, bony and rotting hands appearing from the floor. As Darian watched, he realized Victoria¡¯s body was at the center of the darkness. Jorg threw his mace down and ran, Carver limp on his back. But the two were on the other side of the room. ¡°We have to help them,¡± Darian said as he and Gorm reached the back door. A large part of Darian wanted to leave them behind. Jorg was no friend, and Carver had sided with the Justicar when the man tried to kill him. But they''d stood side by side in this battle, and so he wouldn''t leave them to die. And so he turned, sword raised as the undead rose to fill the room. Chapter 50 - Bitter Victory Darian reached into his inventory and pulled out one of the iron longswords stored within. ¡°Here!¡± he tossed it to Gorm. The half-orc had left his axe behind to better support Darian, but he needed a weapon. The undead had fully emerged now, some carrying blades, others bows. Half the group targeted Gorm and Darian while the rest moved to surround Jorg, Carver still slumped atop his back. All of Darian¡¯s summoned creatures were slain, and so it was up to Gorm to fight back the undead attacking Jorg. ¡°Go,¡± Darian commanded. ¡°I¡¯ll hold them off here.¡± Gorm¡¯s face was covered in blood, his left eye gone, but the warrior didn¡¯t show any signs of pain or weakness. He twirled the sword in his hands and marched forward, blade arcing through the undead. Those that came for Darian were met with alternating blasts of [Shard] and [Flare]. The spells were weak, but enough to soften up Darian¡¯s foes. And reaching out, he activated [Blood Shield] on Victoria¡¯s body. Using the shield to block incoming arrows, Darian¡¯s sword collided with the first skeleton to reach him. It went down after a single blow, but more formed up behind it, their blades stabbing out. Darian knocked aside one thrust, but limited to one leg, he just barely stumbled back from the second. He slashed, a neck snapping under the powerful strike. Then he ducked, an arrow slipping past his floating shield to crack into the wall above him. Gorm was with Jorg now, doing his best to hack down their attackers. But more of the ceiling was falling, chunks of earth and stone crashing to the floor, crushing the undead. Darian limped back, the open tunnel right behind him. ¡°Hurry!¡± he yelled, more out of desperation than anything else. Gorm grunted, his sword knocking away strikes aimed at Jorg. But they were close now, only a few shamblers between them and the tunnel. Then Jorg fell, an arrow jutting from his thigh. Carver rolled across the ground, his body leaving a trail of blood. His eyes flickering open as two skeletons raised their blades. Darian pushed his attacker back, bursting the monster¡¯s ribs with a hard slash. But Carver was too far away. Gorm threw one thrust wide and kicked the other skeleton, sending it crashing to the bone covered ground. He grabbed Carver by his sleeve and pulled him forward until they reached Darian. Then he turned to batter the horde, trying his best to clear a path for Jorg. Darian pushed another sword back, the tip of Sparkblade leaving a searing line down his opponent¡¯s bony chest. Then he tore its head free of its shoulders, his sword smashing the skull apart. With the immediate area clear, he looked down. Carver was cut along the shoulder and the stomach, the smell of his blood thick in the air. The wounds are deep. More arrows rained down, Darian¡¯s blood shield covering Carver as Gorm helped a limping Jorg to the tunnel. ¡°Go!¡± Gorm commanded, thrusting Jorg into the passage. ¡°Get moving you useless Justicar!¡± Gorm lowered and hefted Carver onto his back. Darian followed them, the undead in pursuit. Despite his leg injury, Jorg was leading them. The tunnel itself was wide, but it slowly began to narrow. There were broken support beams along the way, slashes and dents across their surface from where someone had damaged them intentionally. Gorm panted, the battle and his injuries sapping his strength. But they couldn¡¯t afford to slow. The undead marched behind them, their steps echoing in the dark. Darian stumbled, then cried out as he tried putting weight on his bad leg. A large section of his lower calf was gone, the muscle exposed, his blood freely leaking. If his body wasn¡¯t naturally tough and pain resistant, the pain would have made him faint. At the rate he was going, they would catch up to Darian before long. Think! There has to be something I can do. He flipped through his skill menu, finding nothing of particular use. Then he opened his inventory, despair gripping him. But then he saw the purple icons. The charged Nether Crystals from the Lich Cult¡¯s camp! He stopped, pulling crystal after crystal from his inventory. Gorm, who was some distance ahead, turned. ¡°What are you doing?¡± the half-orc asked, huffing as he sprinted to Darian¡¯s side. ¡°You said these are volatile, right?¡± Darian asked, arranging the crystals on the ground. ¡°Will an explosion from them be enough to collapse the tunnel? Gorm looked around. ¡°Perhaps.¡± He frowned. ¡°But you¡¯ll need a blunt force to break them. Do you have any spells remaining?¡± ¡°I have Shard and Flare. Will they be enough?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure.¡± Carver stirred, pushing on Gorm¡¯s back. ¡°Let me down,¡± he said, his voice weak, blood still leaking from his lips. ¡°I let you down and you¡¯re dead.¡± Gorm turned to advance down the tunnel, but Carver continued to fight. ¡°I¡¯m already dead.¡± Darian looked down, his chest tightening. Even if no one said it, with how deep Carver¡¯s wounds were and without healing magic, he would bleed out and die in only a couple of minutes. ¡°I¡¯ll break the crystals,¡± Carver said, Gorm gently laying him on the ground. ¡°You get Darian out of here.¡± The young huntsman laid a bloody hand on Darian¡¯s arm, his grip surprisingly strong. ¡°Thank you for trying to save me, but with this, my honor can be restored,¡± he said, his face growing pale. But he smiled. ¡°You¡¯re a good man, Darian. And don¡¯t let anyone, even Argus himself, tell you otherwise.¡± He coughed, blood specking Darian¡¯s cheek. ¡°Now go...please.¡± Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. Darian stood, Gorm rushing to assist him. ¡°Goodbye, Carver,¡± Darian said. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure everyone knows you didn¡¯t die a coward.¡± The undead were close, and so Gorm pulled Darian away. But he looked back and saw Carver take one of the crystals and raise it over his head. Still shuffling forward as fast as they could, Darian watched as Carver smashed the crystal into the others, the tunnel flashing deep purple before the explosion. *** Darian¡¯s eyes opened slowly, his head feeling like someone took a sledgehammer to it. ¡°He¡¯s awake,¡± he heard Gorm say, then he felt cool grass against his skin. ¡°What?¡± Darian said, looking around with blurry eyes. ¡°Happened?¡± ¡°A rock knocked you on the head,¡± Gorm said. ¡°Put you out. I had to carry you here.¡± Jorg stooped, laying Darian¡¯s sword on the ground. ¡°And the stupid half-breed decided to carry your sword out with you. Had the damned thing held by his teeth.¡± ¡°I¡¯m lucky the enchantment only works when you make an attack,¡± Gorm said, helping Darian to his feet. Then he remembered. ¡°Carver¡­¡± Jorg frowned. ¡°Stupid boy should never have come.¡± He stepped past them, his body rigid. ¡°I met the boy¡¯s father, before we left. Did you know that?¡± he turned, his eyes wet. ¡°Made me promise to look after him. I didn¡¯t think much of it then. I¡¯m used to making such promises. But I thought, foolish as it seems now, that I could keep this one.¡± ¡°Such is the life we lead, Justicar,¡± Gorm said, frowning. ¡°You should know better than most victories are often bitter. This forest has claimed many lives, including those of my friends. But it is over now.¡± Darian looked over his shoulder. The sky above was clear, the stars bright. The branches swayed, the chill of winter on the wind. Morning would arrive soon, and he needed to find shelter. ¡°Are we close to the town?¡± he asked. ¡°I believe so,¡± Gorm answered. ¡°Can you move?¡± Looking into the man¡¯s empty eye socket, Darian wondered how Gorm himself could stay upright. ¡°With a little help, sure.¡± Darian placed Sparkblade into his inventory, then leaned on Gorm for support. The three of them continued down the muddy path, the goblin¡¯s town soon appearing down the hill. *** Oliver crushed Hyalm¡¯s head, the old warrior¡¯s skull turning to powder with a rather satisfying crunch. Lora was the last one. She clutched the Soul of Damnation to her skeletal chest, her back pressed to a tree. Pasitus and Nalmar lay beneath her. Killing them had been far easier than he expected, even with the sun weakening them. ¡°You will suffer for this,¡± she rasped. ¡°Not the first time I¡¯ve heard that,¡± he said, dashing forward, his rapier going right through Lora¡¯s skull, the tip piercing the tree behind her. ¡°Won¡¯t be the last.¡± He snatched the purple gem from the air as Lora¡¯s body crumbled. The only bit of her to remain upright was her skull, pinned to the tree. Oliver rather liked the look of it. Despite the battle being over, no screen appeared to doll out XP. It seemed the notification about Victoria¡¯s death had been true. And with her death, Oliver lost his access to the system. But at least he kept the levels he''d gained in her service. And with her gone, he was free to travel back to the west. The old empire would be a great¡ªand warm¡ªplace for him to spend the winter. ¡°Oh my, how impressive,¡± a scratchy voice said, the sound seeming to come from everywhere at once. Oliver pulled his rapier from the tree, Lora¡¯s skull rolling across the ground as he spun. ¡°Killing such weak prey, does it not bore you?¡± the voice asked. ¡°Never,¡± Oliver replied, slowly lowering his rapier as he recognized the voice. ¡°And here I thought I was free of you.¡± Azlar dropped down from the trees above, rays of sunlight spreading across the ground as the sun continued to rise over the mountains. ¡°You sold your soul to me, Oliver,¡± he said. ¡°You are mine for eternity.¡± ¡°Still.¡± Oliver shoved the gem into his coat pocket. ¡°Figured I deserved a break.¡± He walked over and sat atop a rather unusually round rock. ¡°I figure you¡¯re here because you know of Victoria¡¯s fate?¡± Azlar stalked forward, each step silent. The black tattoos across the demon¡¯s red face swirled and shifted, forming around his crimson eyes. ¡°My master sent me as soon as he realized.¡± ¡°Got here rather quickly now, didn¡¯t you?¡± Oliver smirked. Teleportation was one of the rarest forms of magic, but if anyone was capable of it, it would be the demon god. ¡°And how is your lord father Atarax these days?¡± ¡°He is well,¡± Azlar answered. ¡°Our armies will soon wash over Lonelen. Then those pompous fools in Vizzera will fall beneath our banner. The rest of Aelor will come after.¡± ¡°That all sounds very tiring.¡± Oliver sighed. ¡°So, what exactly do you want from me now?¡± ¡°Two other Aspirants have been discovered in Lonelen. One has created a cult called the Followers of Light, but the other¡­he is an enigma. Tracking him has been difficult.¡± ¡°And you think I can do better?¡± Azlar laughed, the sound stinging Oliver¡¯s ears. ¡°Hardly, but Lonelen is difficult for us to operate in. A human like you will have a much easier time getting information for us.¡± ¡°Well then, do you have any leads?¡± ¡°My father believes the Aspirant is behind the recent epidemic in Lonelen. Sickness and disease spread throughout the nation¡¯s cities like wildfire. The fey would never do such a thing, and the dragons do not have that kind of power. He believes it is an Aspirant, one with command over illness.¡± ¡°And if I find this aspirant, do I kill them? Befriend them?¡± ¡°Neither. Simply speak into this stone when you discover them. We will handle the rest.¡± Azlar reached into his inventory and produced a solid sphere of darkened stone. It tingled Oliver¡¯s skin when he touched it, so he quickly pocketed the item. ¡°And what about the other Aspirant?¡± The tattoos on Azlar¡¯s face stretched franticly, the demon snarling before regaining his composure. ¡°He is not to be touched. Not by you, or the others.¡± ¡°Alright¡­¡± Oliver stretched, the sun warming his face. ¡°I suppose I should be off. Would you mind teleporting me to¡ª¡± But Azlar was already gone. Oliver¡¯s shoulders slumped. The bastard could have at least directed him to where in Lonelen he should begin his search. ¡°Oh, and by the way,¡± he said to himself. ¡°There¡¯s another Aspirant here. Name of Darian Carmine.¡± Oliver looked around, but the demon was truly gone. He could have told Azlar about Darian, but he was rather tired of this forest. The demon probably would have commanded him to kill or follow the red-eyed stranger. But, though it was hard to admit, Oliver didn¡¯t figure he¡¯d survive another encounter with him. They probably figured the Justicars had finally done Victoria in, and he aimed to keep it that way. Best to let the demon god discover this one on his own. He stood. ¡°But a plague?¡± he said with a shudder. ¡°How exactly am I supposed to keep from getting sick?¡± But Azlar had Oliver¡¯s putrid soul, and so he was forced to march forward, his eyes set on the distant peaks. Silverbridge would be past them. And even if he didn¡¯t learn anything there, at least the taverns would welcome him. He walked down the hill, giving one last parting glance to the forest that had become Victoria¡¯s grave. Then he put her out of his mind, his thoughts focused on the journey ahead. Chapter 51 - Beyond the Horizon The bed creaked as Darian rolled over. His whole body hurt, but his head and leg were the worst. The last thing he wanted to do was get up, but he figured night must have fallen if he was awake. Gorm had shoved him into the room right as the sun rose. It came as quite a shock to Fria, who was surprised to see them back so early. Darian told her what had happened to Carver as Harper helped bandage the group¡¯s wounds. She never said anything, just kept nodding. Darian had fallen asleep before the entire battle with the necromancer could be recounted. But Gorm or Jorg probably filled her in. He grunted, his eyes slowly opening. There came a thumping on the floor as he rolled his good leg off the bed. ¡°Well, look at you,¡± he said, grinning. Zan¡¯s tail bounded up and down, the wolf raising his head as Darian pressed his foot to the cool floor. He was still too injured to walk properly, but Darian grabbed the walking staff by his bed and limped over to his four-legged friend. He scratched him between the ears before he settled down on his bed. Surprisingly, Fria was gone. Her bed sat in the opposite corner, but the archer was nowhere to be found. With her wounds, he didn¡¯t figure she¡¯d be able to move. Speaking of wounds¡­ Darian worked his toes, the giant hole in his calf tugging at what muscle remained. Lifting his bandage, he was relieved to find some of the flesh and muscle had already begun growing back. While his passive regeneration had healed other injuries, he wasn¡¯t sure something that severe could be healed. Still, it would probably be days until he could walk normally. ¡°But I¡¯m alive.¡± The battle played out in his mind. It had been short, but decisive. Though they¡¯d also been lucky. Their opponent wasn¡¯t in her right mind, and she¡¯d even sent her most powerful undead to chase Oliver. But they probably still would have won in the end. Though with more casualties. His thoughts turned to Carver. The boy had come despite his own weakness, and his arrows had proved useful during the battle. But a nagging guilt tugged at Darian. Perhaps Jorg was right, and the boy should have stayed behind. But without him, Darian didn¡¯t know if he¡¯d still be alive. Carver was the first human Darian encountered in the new world, and he would endeavor to carry on his memory. A mechanical beeping went off in Darian¡¯s ear, a small screen appearing to remind him he had an unspent class point. Defeating Victoria had given him enough class XP to nearly level up twice. He was about to open his class menu when the door creaked open. ¡°Figured you¡¯d be up,¡± Fria said, limping into the room, her hands gripped around a thick walking staff. ¡°You always rise as soon as the sun falls.¡± ¡°Surprised you can walk,¡± Darian said. Her broken foot was tightly bound in bandages with two lengths of wood on either side operating as splints. She closed the door behind her. ¡°Jorg used his healing magic on me. That should knock a couple weeks off my natural recovery. Plus,¡± she grunted, settling into a chair beside Darian¡¯s bed. ¡°Some goblin healers have arrived from their village. They¡¯re using their spells on the wounded from the battle, but the chief has ordered them to see to our wounds as well.¡± ¡°Positive energy hurts me,¡± Darian said. ¡°I leveled up my race during the battle and it appeared as a new trait. Guess that means I¡¯ll have to wait until my regeneration does the work.¡± ¡°Guess so,¡± she said. A quiet moment passed between them, then Darian leaned forward. ¡°Where are the others?¡± ¡°Jorg left a few hours ago,¡± Fria answered. ¡°Said he had to return to Ulsfel and inform the Justicars there of the necromancer¡¯s defeat.¡± ¡°He took an arrow to the leg.¡± ¡°I know. But he healed me, then limped his way north. He didn¡¯t look well. Emotionally, I mean. I think Carver¡¯s death got to him.¡± ¡°And what about you? I know you weren¡¯t best friends, but he was from your village.¡± Fria fidgeted with her hands. ¡°I hated him, a little bit. For running.¡± She looked toward the door, old memories passing before her eyes. ¡°As soon as he realized we¡¯d been ambushed, Carver bolted. The fact he lived while the others died¡­it didn¡¯t sit right with me.¡± She straightened her back. ¡°But it sounds like he died well, in the end.¡± ¡°Died well,¡± Darian mumbled. ¡°Is there such a thing?¡± ¡°Not sure. My father used to talk about it with his old adventuring buddies. Said it was a dream to have a good death. Guess that dream didn¡¯t come true for him.¡± Her eyes met Darian¡¯s. ¡°The warg, Gershank¡­he lives, doesn¡¯t he?¡± Darian nodded. ¡°Did Gorm tell you about the battle?¡± ¡°He did.¡± She smiled, but there was no joy in it. ¡°I suppose some part of me should be thankful he helped. By the way Gorm tells it, he wasn¡¯t sure you¡¯d reach the necromancer before she roasted you. That warg saved you, even if he did it by accident. But Gershank killed my father.¡± Her hands balled into fists, her knuckles whitening. ¡°And I will see that warg dead.¡± She stretched out her leg, her broken foot thunking as she laid it on the floor. ¡°But that will have to wait.¡± The door opened, Gorm entering. He was wearing a thick coat of fur, his ruined eye already covered by a cloth eyepatch. Harper slipped in behind him, the woman moving with some of her previous grace. ¡°How¡¯s the leg?¡± Gorm asked. ¡°Better.¡± Darian rotated his foot, then winced. ¡°But it¡¯s going to be awhile until I can go anywhere.¡± ¡°Winter is near,¡± Harper said. ¡°You have maybe a few weeks before the snows arrive. I suggest you be gone by then.¡± ¡°Still leaving tomorrow?¡± Fria asked. ¡°You¡¯re leaving?¡± Darian sat up. ¡°Already?¡± ¡°The artifact.¡± Gorm said. ¡°It¡¯s gone.¡± Darian had almost forgotten that Harper¡¯s team had come for an item and not the necromancer¡¯s head. ¡°It¡¯s probably buried.¡± Darian shook his head. All of that, just for them to go home empty-handed. ¡°The artifact was not with her,¡± Harper said. ¡°And how do you know that?¡± ¡°I just do.¡± She placed her hands on her hips. ¡°Oliver, you saw him flee, yes?¡± ¡°I did. He ran soon after we arrived.¡± ¡°And there were no bodies in the tunnel,¡± Gorm said, shifting on his heels, his mouth drawing into a frown as he remembered their flight from the undead. ¡°We think he stole the artifact, and we¡¯re going after him.¡± ¡°When the sun rises, we will be off.¡± Harper relaxed as she spoke, then she smiled, genuine warmth in it. ¡°But we both wanted to thank you. Even if we didn¡¯t retrieve the artifact, we would have died without your assistance.¡± Then, much to Darian and Fria¡¯s shock, Harper bowed. ¡°And I wished to present you with this.¡± Harper reached into her coat pocket and produced a gold coin. ¡°Show this to any member of The Society, and they¡¯ll know you¡¯re a friend.¡± Darian took the coin and turned it, inspecting it in the dim candlelight. It looked like an ordinary coin, the kind he had seen in over a dozen video games. But there sat at its center a tiny purple gem, one that was warm to the touch. ¡°That thing is rare,¡± Gorm said. ¡°Could always sell it if you need to.¡± The half-orc grunted as Harper elbowed him in the gut. ¡°Trust me, with the kind of trouble you¡¯re sure to get into, you will need it.¡± ¡°And know you will always be welcome in Vizzera,¡± Gorm said. ¡°The Society can be a handful, but they take care of their own. You ever want a job, come check out the office in Rend and tell them I sent you. They¡¯ll help you out.¡± ¡°I might do that.¡± Darian relaxed. ¡°But to be honest, I¡¯m not sure what happens from here.¡± Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. With the necromancer dead, he was free to do as he pleased. With his race level increased, even a beast like Gershank would have trouble killing him. There was no one to stop him now. But all he knew for certain was that he looked forward to leaving this forest behind. There was a whole world out there for him to see, and that prospect sent a jolt of excitement through his heart. ¡°Whatever you do, know you have made friends of The Society,¡± Harper said. ¡°I will make sure they know you are a trusted ally.¡± Gorm pulled a chair over from the corner, grunting and scratching at his eyepatch as he sat down. ¡°Been a wild last few days.¡± ¡°Indeed.¡± Harper dusted the cobwebs off a nearby stool and sat beside Gorm. ¡°But we deserve a respite, and I believe the chief mentioned something about wine.¡± ¡°He did,¡± Gorm grinned. ¡°I¡¯ll go see if I can¡¯t find it.¡± As Gorm left the room, Fria frowned. ¡°Should we really be drinking? I know the necromancer is defeated, but still¡­¡± ¡°You must learn to enjoy moments like these, despite their bitterness,¡± Harper said. ¡°For they are rare.¡± People had died, it was true. But the necromancer would have killed many more if she hadn¡¯t been stopped. Though it felt odd to celebrate, it was better than wallowing in misery. But Darian felt rather cold about it all. He wasn¡¯t sure if it was his race changing from lesser vampire to vampire, but his emotions were muted. Sorrow and regret still stung him, but not as deeply as it would have only days ago. For now, he decided to put his emotions out of his mind. They sat and chatted about mundane topics until Gorm returned, two bottles of wine and glasses in hand. Harper took one of the bottles and inspected it, her brow upturned in surprise. ¡°How did the little green ones manage to procure such a fine specimen?¡± ¡°Apparently some rich lord used to rule here. He had a rather fond love for the stuff. Chief told me there¡¯s wine cellars scattered all over the place.¡± Gorm filled the dirty glasses one by one, Darian¡¯s nose filling with the strong earthy scent of the wine. When he was handed his share, he stared into the dark liquid. ¡°Something wrong?¡± Fria asked, sipping. ¡°I¡¯ve never¡­¡± He almost didn¡¯t want to say it. ¡°Drank before.¡± ¡°Truly?¡± Gorm asked. ¡°I¡¯ve refrained from asking, but you really must tell me where you are from,¡± Harper said, gulping down her glass with her pinky turned up. ¡°Maybe someday,¡± Darian said. I wonder if I can even get drunk in this body? Would you like to temporarily disable the trait [Poison Immunity]? Sure. Darian flicked his wrist and a strange tingle spread out from his stomach. Then he took a sip of wine. ¡°Gah!¡± he nearly spat it out. ¡°This is terrible!¡± Harper laughed, Fria snickered, and Gorm frowned. ¡°It tastes better the more you drink,¡± Fria said, doing her best to hold back her laughter. ¡°I¡¯ll take your cup if you don¡¯t want it. More for me.¡± Gorm reached for Darian¡¯s glass, but he pulled it away. He raised the cup back to his lips, his nose twitching. How am I even smelling this when I don¡¯t breathe? He sipped again, frowning. Does my perception increase my sense of taste? Harper kept grinning at him, and so he took the biggest swig he could. ¡°My my, getting brave now, are we?¡± she said. ¡°Want to have a little competition?¡± Gorm asked. ¡°See which one of us can drink the most?¡± ¡°Very brave, challenging the man who just said this was his first drink,¡± Fria said, tilting her glass at the half-orc. ¡°But I want in.¡± ¡°And I will be but a neutral observer.¡± Harper scooted back, the wood stool groaning. ¡°One glass is enough for me.¡± Darian¡¯s face felt warm, like someone was pressing a heated blanket to it. ¡°I¡¯ll take you both on,¡± he said, taking another swig. Fria was right, it does taste better the more you drink. *** ¡°And then his head just¡­exploded!¡± Darian and Fria laughed, Harper shaking her head as Gorm continued his story. ¡°Ah, I¡¯m dry,¡± Fria said, her cheeks bright red. ¡°Can our fair lady scrounge us up some more?¡± Harper clicked her tongue. ¡°That is the third bottle. And as the bartenders in Vizzera often once said to me, ¡®you¡¯ve had enough¡¯.¡± ¡°Weren¡¯t we having a competition?¡± Darian asked. His head was fuzzy, but he thought he remembered something they were supposed to be fighting over. Gorm shrugged, then he gripped his stomach. ¡°I think¡­I may need a break.¡± Harper clapped the orc on the back. ¡°And I think it¡¯s time we head to our little hut on the other side of town. We have an early morning.¡± Gorm shook his head, then groaned. ¡°Fine.¡± Something about the way the big man stumbled for the door made Fria burst into laughter. Darian found himself smiling, a pang of loneliness hitting him as Harper opened the door. ¡°It has been a grand time,¡± Harper said. ¡°I thought you were a heartless wench,¡± Fria said. ¡°But maybe you¡¯re alright.¡± Harper smiled. ¡°I will endeavor to continue being ¡®alright¡¯.¡± Then she bowed. ¡°And you,¡± Gorm said, pointing at Darian, his legs wobbling. ¡°Don¡¯t forget to keep training. Remember to use feints.¡± He raised his fists and threw two sloppy punches, Harper gripping him by the arm once his little display was finished. Then the two of them stood in the doorway, the darkness outside full of croaking frogs and the thrum of mosquitoes. ¡°Goodbye,¡± Darian said, finishing off his wine. ¡°And may we meet again.¡± ¡°May we meet again,¡± the two said in unison. Then they stepped through the door. *** Blood Squire Lv. 2
Crimson Daggers Uses: 5 (Daily) Range: 20 Feet Damage: 15 + (1/4th) Arcane modification
Darian swiped the screen away. He¡¯d been on the fence about putting points into Blood Squire or Necromancer. His divine skill gave him stronger undead summons, and the trait he gained after defeated Victoria [Summoner¡¯s Gift] made all his summoned creatures have a massive amount of extra HP. But Blood Squire unlocked the advanced unique class [Blood Knight] after five levels, and it intrigued him. He inspected the Divine Essence he received next, still not sure if he should use it now or wait.
Divine Essence Divine Essence has three possible uses:
Touching the third option expanded its effects.
Setting your class back to level zero will refund all class points spent, but will keep all advanced classes you have unlocked available. Note that attribute gain from class levels will remain, and you will not gain attribute points from reassigning your refunded class levels.
That meant he could put the early points he put into Mage into something like Necromancer or Blood Squire if he wanted to. But he figured it was better to wait a bit, since he could unlock more advanced classes in the meantime. Maybe I should have started leveling Necromancer in that case. It does unlock a few advanced classes. Instantly raising his Divine Rank was another appealing option. But he decided to leave the decision for later. Today was finally the day he would be leaving the forest. He tested his foot, grinning when he was able to put his full weight on it. Then he pushed the door open. ¡°Ready?¡± Fria asked, poking her campfire with a stick, Zan sitting beside her. ¡°I think so.¡± They had stayed in the goblin town for nearly three weeks. In that time, the goblin priestesses had continued to heal Fria and Zan. Because of that, it ended up being Darian who slowed everything down. Since positive energy hurt him now, he had to wait until his regeneration fixed him up. But the three of them weren¡¯t quite fully healed. Zan still walked with a limp, and Fria winced each time she put too much weight on her bad foot. But they were good enough to travel, and so they set out the previous night, stopping at the hunting cabin for the night. ¡°You really think we can reach your village by morning? I thought it was further away.¡± ¡°We should get close, at least. And I know a few caves we can stay in if we can¡¯t quite make it, so don¡¯t worry.¡± ¡°More caves,¡± Darian smiled as he turned, the night full of chirping insects and rustling leaves. He was going to Fria¡¯s village, then was heading south. Fria told him of a road he could take to reach Vizzera. He would be safer there, and it didn¡¯t hurt that Harper and Gorm could be there. There was an odd tugging at his heart as he realized he was leaving this place behind. In the time he¡¯d spent here, so much had happened. Trials and failures, friends and enemies, life and death. But he was strong now, he could tell. No one would be able to control him now, and even if other Aspirants came for his life, he would ensure they would be the ones to fall. ¡°Well,¡± Darian said. ¡°Guess we should be going.¡± Fria stomped out the fire, Zan¡¯s tail wagging as she gave him a pat on the back. ¡°You ready to finally see the world?¡± Darian smiled, the future stretching out before him. ¡°I am.¡± Together, they left the forest behind, Darian¡¯s cave, the fort, and all that had happened fading into memory. B2 Chapter 1 - Home A chill wind swept down the mountainside, Fria hugging her fur coat tighter as the first flakes of snow began to fall. ¡°Not much farther,¡± she said, her breath misting. They¡¯d stayed the previous night in a cave, Fria and Zan huddled together for warmth. But now they¡¯d been walking for miles, the forest thinning as they climbed deeper into the mountains. ¡°Make sure to keep that hood up when we arrive,¡± she said, turning to give him a sly smile. Darian adjusted the hood of his cloak. It was one of the gifts the goblin chief had given him before they headed north. The cloth was thick and made of old wool, but it was comfortable. And it would hide his pale face and white hair. If someone started asking pointed questions, he could use [Vampiric Charm] to soothe them. But he hoped he wouldn¡¯t need to use it. He sniffed the air, the smell of woodsmoke on the breeze. ¡°Village is close,¡± Darian said, moving to Fria¡¯s side. ¡°I can smell it.¡± It had taken a while, but Darian had finally adjusted to his increased perception. Now he could pick out distinct sounds and scents, and even Fria and Zan¡¯s soft steps were loud in his ears. And peering through the foliage, he saw the tops of log houses in the distance. They rounded a hill, the village down in the valley ahead. ¡°Home,¡± Fria mumbled, grinning. But then her smile turned into a frown, and she made her way down the hill in silence. It had been a few weeks since she lost her father, and though she tried to hide it, his loss deeply pained her. Darian attempted to offer what comfort he could, but he often felt he hurt more than he helped. When she sees her mother, she¡¯ll finally be able to let it all out. Darian gave Zan a scratch between the ears as they walked, the wolf seeming to grow somber as they got closer. ¡°That¡¯s new,¡± Fria said, peering at the wooden wall that surrounded the village. Darian spotted a sparrow perched in the branches above. Reaching out with his mind, he activated [Dominate Animal] and directed the bird toward the village. ¡°I sent it to check for men wearing armor or carrying weapons,¡± Darian explained to a perplexed Fria. ¡°I need to know if there are Justicars inside.¡± After a few minutes, Darian¡¯s connection to the sparrow was severed. ¡°That¡¯s strange,¡± he said. ¡°I didn¡¯t tell it to attack or anything.¡± A worm of doubt creeped into his gut. Perhaps coming here was a mistake. Then a huge bird, one Darian figured to be an eagle, came down from the sky to perch atop a branch overhead. It was brown feathered with a white underbelly, and the feathers on top of its head stood up as it watched them. What are you doing out in the dark? He peered at the odd bird. Did you eat my sparrow? Darian activated [Dominate Animal] on the eagle, turning to observe the walled village. But the skill was rejected. What? He looked back at the eagle and used the skill again.
[Dominate Animal] has failed. Target¡¯s level exceeds half the skill user¡¯s total level.
Darian¡¯s total level was twelve, meaning the bird had to be higher than level six. But he had little time to question it. The eagle opened its mouth and screeched, the sound nearly deafening in the silence. Fria backed away, Darian¡¯s body suddenly enveloped in golden light. ¡°What is this?¡± Darian looked down, his body glowing like a lightbulb. ¡°It¡¯s a tracking skill,¡± Fria said, grinning. ¡°And I know whose eagle that is.¡± A man came barreling through the underbrush some distance away. Darian listened as he grew closer, noting the short distance between his steps. Then the man burst into the starlight, his long beard clinking with silver rings. ¡°Hands up!¡± he cried, raising his crossbow. Zan growled, stepping between the man and Darian. Then he lowered the weapon and smiled. ¡°Fria?¡± His eyes widened. ¡°Fria!¡± If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Then the two of them came together, locking in a tight embrace, the man about half Fria¡¯s height. It was as Darian watched them that he realized the man was a dwarf. ¡°Hey,¡± Darian said, waving his arm, his body still glowing. ¡°Care to turn this off?¡± The dwarf and Fria parted, the man looking Darian up and down. Then he whistled, his eagle screeching once more. The light faded. ¡°And who is this?¡± the dwarf asked. ¡°A friend. One who helped take down the necromancer.¡± Fria stepped back and stood beside Darian. ¡°His name is Darian.¡± The dwarf ran his thick and scarred fingers through his tangled black beard, his bushy eyebrows drawn downward. But then he shot forward and gripped Darian¡¯s hand, giving him a firm shake and a warm smile. ¡°Names Durance,¡± he said. ¡°Ranger and senior member of the Emerald Branch.¡± The Emerald Branch? Fria mentioned them. I think she said her dad used to be one. ¡°Pleasure to meet you.¡± ¡°You¡¯re oddly cold,¡± Durance said, stepping back. ¡°You¡¯re not sick, are you? We¡¯ve got enough sick people already.¡± ¡°I¡¯m perfectly healthy.¡± Darian did his best attempt at a reassuring smile, to which Durance just grunted. ¡°People are sick?¡± Fria asked. Then she squinted past him at the village down the hill. ¡°And why are you here?¡± Durance sighed. ¡°Aye, people are sick.¡± He stared off toward the mountain peaks. ¡°There¡¯s a plague growing in Lonelen. It started in earnest a little over two months ago, but it¡¯s managed to spread all the way out here.¡± ¡°A plague?¡± Darian was immune to disease and illness, but the same could not be said for his companion. ¡°Yes, one that¡¯s already ravaged the capital. The Justicars, the Emerald Branch, and the Knights are doing our best to maintain order¡­but things are not going well.¡± ¡°My mother.¡± Fria¡¯s voice cracked. ¡°Is she sick?¡± Durance¡¯s shoulders slumped and he took a deep breath. ¡°She is.¡± Fria moved past him, Zan following. ¡°Take me to her.¡± Durance fell in beside her, quick despite his short stature. ¡°Now hold on.¡± He gripped her by the arm. ¡°She¡¯s in the longhouse with the other infected. You can¡¯t see her right now.¡± ¡°And who gets to decide that?¡± Fria pulled her arm away. ¡°The Justicars.¡± Hearing the name put Darian on edge, and he glanced at Fria. ¡°Why are they in a little village like this?¡± Durance motioned for them to follow. ¡°We traveled here from Ulsfel as reinforcements,¡± he said. ¡°How convenient,¡± Fria said. ¡°That they would send more so soon after we set off.¡± The dwarf winced. ¡°Command is in chaos,¡± he explained. ¡°Between the demonic invasion and now this, the king¡¯s and the churches¡¯ forces are pushed to their limits. Some of our information was¡­off. But the church authorized more men as soon as the mistake was realized.¡± Fria scoffed. ¡°That mistake cost my father¡¯s life.¡± Durance stopped, the wall of the village a dark outline behind him. ¡°I know. The Justicar, Jorg Halion, reported on what happened.¡± He looked at Darian. ¡°Though he made no mention of you in his report.¡± Darian was a bit surprised, though admitting he allied with a potential monster probably wouldn¡¯t look good for Jorg. ¡°And is Jorg still here?¡± Durance nodded. ¡°He¡¯s with the rest of the infected.¡± *** The village was a dreary place. Everywhere Darian looked he saw shuffling shapes in the shadows, heard hushed voices behind closed doors. And Justicars patrolled the streets, their heavy boots splashing in the mud. But with Durance by their side, they paid the group no mind. They walked until they reached a large home on the north side of the town. The place had its own short wall of stone built around it, and Justicars brandishing crossbows patrolled the perimeter. ¡°Wait here,¡± Durance commanded, his eagle perched atop a nearby house. As he walked up the steps to the quarantined house, Darian looked around, inspecting the guards and the villagers. ¡°It¡¯s like a prison here,¡± he said. ¡°And this many Justicars? Did they really all come to kill the necromancer?¡± Zan sat by Fria, the archer¡¯s eyes darting from home to home. ¡°Durance is an old friend of my father¡¯s, but he¡¯s a loyal Argus follower. He¡¯ll only tell us what he¡¯s allowed to.¡± She stared at the looming home atop the hill, worry creasing her face. ¡°Something isn¡¯t right here.¡± Durance returned before long. He looped his thumbs into his belt as he came to stand before them, the rings in his beard clinking. ¡°I¡¯ve arranged for you to speak to your mother, but only through the door. The infection can spread from the air, so you¡¯ll need to keep your distance.¡± He handed her a thick length of cloth. ¡°And please put this over your mouth.¡± Fria tied the cloth around the back of her head, her mouth covered. Then Durance brought her up the steps, a pair of Justicars falling in behind her. One of the patrolling guards stopped behind Darian, his teeth chittering. ¡°New here, right?¡± he asked. Darian turned to find the man pulling his fur cloak tighter around himself. He was young, probably twenty-two or so at the oldest. ¡°Just arrived, you?¡± The Justicar rubbed his hands together and blew into them. ¡°Been here about a week.¡± He nodded at the house up the hill. ¡°Poor souls. Seems like more of them get shuffled in each day, including some of my brothers.¡± He lowered his head in prayer. ¡°May Argus guide our path.¡± ¡°The infected,¡± Darian said. ¡°What¡¯s the mortality rate?¡± The young Justicar squinted, not quite understanding the question. ¡°How many survive the illness?¡± Darian rephrased. ¡°Oh. None sir.¡± He stared up the hill. ¡°None." B2 Chapter 2 - Welcome to the end of the World ¡°None survive?¡± Darian found that hard to believe. ¡°Well,¡± the young Justicar shivered. ¡°I¡¯ve heard tell a few make it here and there. But a lot of people are immune, thank Argus.¡± He nodded at a trio of Justicars walking from door to door down the street. ¡°Like commander Marco. Speaking of him.¡± He blew into his hands. ¡°Need to get back on patrol before he skins me for being lazy.¡± Darian watched the Justicar walk away, snow falling as he wound his way down the street, nodding at the other men making their rounds. Then Darian turned and waited, the village growing silent as sleep claimed the residents. When Fria returned, Zan bounded down the steps to give Darian¡¯s hand a lick. He pet the wolf as Fria and Durance whispered, but Darian could easily make out each word. They¡¯ve locked them in there to die, if I¡¯m hearing things right. His heart felt heavy, old fears welling up in his chest. To die like this of illness, it makes me sick. Fria¡¯s eyes glistened, and she absently rubbed at them as she came to a stop. ¡°How long does she have?¡± Darian asked. ¡°Most don¡¯t make it past one week, and she¡¯s going on two,¡± Durance answered. Zan nudged Fria¡¯s hip, the girl¡¯s face red and puffy. ¡°Why,¡± she said. ¡°What did we do to deserve this?¡± ¡°Nothing.¡± Darian pulled Fria into an embrace, his shoulder absorbing her sobs. ¡°May Argus guide our path,¡± Durance said, pressing a finger to his forehead. ¡°Argus?¡± Fria said, pulling away. ¡°That bastard has never done anything right by my family. Why would he start now?¡± Rage flashed across the dwarf¡¯s blocky face, but then he smothered it, snapping to attention as a trio of footfalls came from behind. ¡°Miss Rostcliff, I presume?¡± The man was of average height, but he was broad of shoulder and even though he wore a thick fur coat, Darian could tell he was well muscled. He was around middle-aged, with silver streaking his short beard and swept back dark hair. His eyes drifted to Darian. ¡°And who are you?¡± ¡°New arrival,¡± Durance said. ¡°Arrived with miss Rostcliff.¡± One of the Justicars shifted behind his leader, his face grim. ¡°New arrivals are to be logged.¡± ¡°Of course, of course.¡± Durance rubbed his hands together, but Darian couldn¡¯t tell if it was from the cold or something else. ¡°I am commander Marco,¡± the older man said as he bowed, never taking his eyes off Darian. ¡°A pleasure to meet you. I only wish it was under better circumstances.¡± ¡°Your eyes,¡± one of the others said. ¡°Not sick, are you?¡± Darian locked eyes with him and activated [Vampiric Charm] a ding in his ears letting him know the skill was successful. ¡°It¡¯s a family condition,¡± Darian said. ¡°We¡¯ve had red eyes and pale skin for generations.¡± The man smiled and said no more. ¡°Never heard of such a thing, but there are many oddities this far from Argus¡¯ holy temples,¡± Marco said, his eyes falling back on Darian. ¡°I expect you to be logged and to follow the rules while you¡¯re here. Durance can fill you in if you have questions. Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me.¡± Marco and his two Justicars moved up the stairs and toward the longhouse, the hard edges of the building silvered in the moonlight. ¡°I want to go home,¡± Fria said after the men were out of sight. ¡°After we get you and your friend logged.¡± Fria walked down the street and Darian followed, Durance soon falling in beside them, Zan trailing behind. ¡°Sir,¡± Durance said, Darian ignoring him. ¡°You two must follow me. The rules¡ª¡± Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. ¡°I¡¯ll do what you want after we get Fria home,¡± Darian announced. ¡°Not before.¡± They rounded a corner, walking along the dirt road until they came to a small home shaded by two pine trees. There was a pleasant scent in the air, and Darian noticed wildflowers were blooming beside the building, their purple petals in bright defiance of the cold. ¡°Mother¡¯s night crowns,¡± Fria said, weakly smiling. She squatted before them and Darian noticed the flowers curved upward, the ends pointed like the tops of a king¡¯s crown. ¡°I must insist.¡± Durance said, Zan walking around him to sniff the flowers. ¡°At least you.¡± He pointed at Darian. ¡°We can log Fria later.¡± ¡°Go with him, Darian. I¡¯ll be fine.¡± He doubted that, but maybe it would be for the best. ¡°Alright.¡± Darian stepped away, giving her shoulder a squeeze. ¡°I¡¯ll be right back.¡± Durance smiled in relief, leading Darian back the way they¡¯d come. ¡°It won¡¯t take long,¡± the dwarf assured. ¡°Just need to keep track of who is here.¡± ¡°Will we be allowed to leave?¡± Darian asked, counting the Justicars as he walked, noting their weapons and armor, wondering how hard it would be to kill them all if he needed to. ¡°Not for some time,¡± Durance answered. ¡°We are trying to contain the infection. Whole nation is being locked down.¡± Darian listened to the men as they passed. Most gossiped about the village, the sour weather, or fear of the plague. But a few referenced the commander and his brutality. One of the men whispered to his fellows that the commander wanted to simply kill the infected, but he needed permission from the church first. The entire situation turned Darian¡¯s stomach, but as Durance led him to a small building on the south side of the village, Darian realized something. He could turn people into vampires. And those he turned could possibly be immune from illness and disease, rendering the plague inert. But they would thirst and never be able to live normal lives. But they would maybe get to live. Darian groaned. What should I do? Durance knocked on the door, a grumpy voice announcing it was unlocked. ¡°Right on in.¡± Durance pushed the door open, and Darian entered. There was a small desk across the short walkway, an angry older man sitting behind it. He looked up from his documents with tired eyes, waving Darian closer with a sigh. ¡°New?¡± he said, pulling a book off the shelf beside him. ¡°Just sign your name in the book.¡± He passed Darian a quill. The book was small, the cover made of scarred leather. Darian opened it, the pages filled with the names of the villagers. As he laid the quill to the parchment, he decided to write a false name. Victoria had shown him her quest screen. It had his real name, the one from his old life. So he decided to use his dad¡¯s first name and his mother¡¯s maiden one. The old man took the book and quill, grunting as he stared at Darian¡¯s false name. ¡°Henry Price?¡± ¡°That¡¯s me.¡± Darian smiled. Durance gave Darian a sideways glance, but then just shook his head, thankfully keeping Darian¡¯s real name a secret. The old man tossed the book back onto the shelf. ¡°Nice handwriting, Henry.¡± Then he sighed. ¡°Welcome to the end of the world.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s hope not,¡± Durance said, eyeing Darian. ¡°Well, Henry, here are the rules.¡± He leaned against the wall. ¡°If me or a Justicar gives you an order, you¡¯d best follow it. If you need to leave the perimeter around the village, you must have one of us accompany you. If anyone starts coughing or bleeding from the nose, report them immediately.¡± He took a breath. ¡°And if you start coughing or bleeding, report that immediately, too. And unless instructed otherwise or unless you have permission, we¡¯d like you to stay indoors. That would be miss Rostcliff¡¯s house in your case.¡± ¡°Seems I¡¯ve walked myself into a prison.¡± He¡¯d seen around twenty Justicars, but most looked weak. Killing the whole lot of them wouldn¡¯t be too much trouble. And only Durance and the commander posed a true threat on their own. But I will stay here to help Fria. ¡°Not a prison,¡± Durance said, the old man behind him rolling his eyes. ¡°This is just what we need to do. You wouldn¡¯t want to get sick, would you?¡± Darian shrugged. ¡°Am I free to go?¡± Durance huffed. ¡°Yes. Do you remember the way?¡± Darian nodded and headed out the door before Durance could say anything else. He heard the dwarf complain about the youths¡¯ lack of respect or understanding, but the old man didn¡¯t reply. Light flickered behind the shutters as Darian approached Fria¡¯s home. When he reached the door, he gave it a light knock before entering. ¡°Welcome,¡± Fria said, tossing logs into the fireplace opposite the door. The house was one large room with a small walled off section on the right side. There was a gigantic fur rug that stretched along the floor, ending as it reached a small dining area. A big bed sat tucked in the left corner next to what looked like some kind of workstation. It reminded Darian of his mother¡¯s room back home where she would practice her knitting. ¡°It¡¯s nice,¡± Darian said. Fria sat low in a chair, patting Zan. The wolf seemed somber, his amber eyes half closed as he observed the room, his nose twitching. Darian pulled up a chair and sat across from her. She looked up at him after a moment, her face blank. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he said. ¡°Not your fault,¡± she replied. ¡°But I¡­I can¡¯t believe it. Why here? Why now?¡± Darian settled back. ¡°Fria,¡± he said, his head resting against the top of the chair. ¡°What if I could cure your mother?¡± ¡°And how would you do that?¡± Darian leaned forward, his thoughts a storm of questions and doubts. ¡°By turning her into a vampire.¡± B2 Chapter 3 - No Right Choice ¡°A vampire? Is that something you can truly do?¡± Fria¡¯s eyes narrowed. Darian had told her about gaining his divine skill, but he hadn¡¯t told her everything. ¡°It¡¯s an ability of my divine skill,¡± Darian explained. ¡°I can turn others into lesser vampires.¡± ¡°But would doing that cure her?¡± Fria reclined in her chair. ¡°Or would the sickness remain?¡± That Darian had no way of knowing for sure. While he was immune to disease, there always was the possibility lesser vampires he created were not. And there was also the chance the sickness would remain either way. In a worse case scenario, she could become some kind of super carrier of the infection. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± He closed his eyes. ¡°But I don¡¯t want to just sit here and do nothing.¡± ¡°Durance said a few people survive. Perhaps she will be one.¡± But that is a distant hope. Darian grunted as he rose and began pacing around the room, nervous energy filling him. Even if he turned her and she was cured, what then? Would he turn the other villagers? And what of their need for blood? ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Fria said, hanging her head. ¡°For bringing you here.¡± Darian stopped. ¡°You had no way of knowing.¡± He walked to the shuttered window and peered into the darkness outside. ¡°But I can¡¯t stay here long. They¡¯ll realize I¡¯m not human sooner rather than later. And when that happens¡­¡± I will have no choice but to cut my way through them. ¡°I saw Jorg,¡± Fria said, rising from her chair. ¡°Saw him through a small gap in the door. He shuffled in when he heard my voice. He had¡­blood leaking from his ears and eyes. It was horrible.¡± ¡°And what about your mother?¡± ¡°A bit better, but I¡¯ve never heard her voice so weak.¡± Fria wrapped her arms around herself as if a sudden chill had come over her. ¡°I don¡¯t want to lose her too, Darian. Not after losing Father. But what you¡¯re proposing¡­if it worked, what would we do then?¡± Darian had planned on staying in Fria¡¯s village for a few nights before working his way south to the nation of Vizzera. There were no Justicars there, and the people would be far more welcoming. But if he started turning people into vampires, he couldn¡¯t very well leave them alone, could he? ¡°I would stay,¡± Darian said. ¡°At least for a little longer than I planned.¡± Fria looked at the floor, her feet shuffling as she grabbed another log for the fire. ¡°You told me you wanted to explore the world. How can you do that if you end up stuck in some tiny village on the borderlands?¡± ¡°Doubt I¡¯d be stuck here for long¡± He stepped away from the window. ¡°But if I try making your mother a vampire, I can¡¯t very well leave the other sick people to die.¡± ¡°There was around twenty people in there from what I could tell. But a portion of them were sick Justicars. Would you really be able to make them all vampires?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure.¡± And if they all thirsted like he did, there would be another epidemic on Lonelen¡¯s hands. He walked back to his chair and slumped into it. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to do,¡± he admitted. ¡°What¡¯s the correct action to take?¡± Fria came to his side, her hand resting on his shoulder. ¡°Sometimes there isn¡¯t one.¡± *** Durance rubbed his frigid hands together. You¡¯d think years in the mountains would have conditioned his body for the cold, but he was always a strange dwarf. Left home when he was but a runt, became an adventurer not long after. But now he was a ranking member of the Emerald Branch, and Argus was his God now. Though we could do with some of his help right about now. He looked at the homes as he passed, a pit forming in his gut. They¡¯d been the ones to bring plague to this village, and he knew it. The others who arrived with him knew it, too. Maybe they¡¯d have admitted it if Commander Marco hadn¡¯t been with them. The commander had been redirected from his previous mission in the east and arrived in the village only a week ago. Durance still didn¡¯t know what Marco was really doing here, but it couldn¡¯t be anything good. The man put on a kind act, but he was heartless as a demon. And he had a reputation of excellence to uphold. No doubt part of his directive included containing the infection. Marco had mentioned killing and burning the infected when he¡¯d arrived. Apparently, that¡¯s how some commanders were handling it. But he couldn¡¯t act without direct approval from the church, thank Argus. Durance pressed through the falling snow until he reached the home he was staying in. The owner was one of the first to die of the plague. Some of the lads were calling it Reapers something or another. But whatever they called it, the sickness terrified him. Some people were immune, Marco being one of them. They¡¯d been exposed directly to the infected and never showed symptoms. The door swung open, and Durance shuffled inside, thankful for the warmth. He stripped his coat off and walked toward the back, opening a window. Talon flew in not long after, the eagle waddling his way toward the empty fireplace. Bird like him wouldn¡¯t normally be able to see in the dark, but Durance¡¯s spirit bound companion wasn¡¯t any ordinary creature. He raked his foot across the ground as Durance approached, his beak pointing at the fireplace. ¡°I¡¯ll get the fire going, just give me a minute.¡± Durance leaned over, his old knees protesting as he scooped up a log. ¡°Durance¡± He dropped the hunk of wood and spun, heart near jumping out of his throat. A man sat in the corner, his body wreathed in flickering shadow. As Durance watched him, he rose, tall and thin. Durance activated his skill [Stone Flesh] then his skill [Thorn Mail], his skin hardening before being covered in twisting and barbed vines. ¡°Who in the hells are you?¡± Durance took a back step, his mind and Talon¡¯s melding for a moment as Durance prepared the eagle to attack. ¡°I come only as a messenger,¡± the shadowed man said, voice smooth as silk. ¡°I do not come to cause harm.¡± This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. ¡°Do you often deliver messages like this?¡± Durance wasn¡¯t sure what to do. The man could have caught Durance by surprise if he wanted a fight. But his instincts told him to prepare for anything. He chuckled. ¡°I do.¡± Durance slowly lowered his fists after several moments of silence. ¡°Alright then, what brings a stranger like you here in the middle of the night?¡± The man relaxed. ¡°A messenger will arrive here tomorrow bearing a letter from the church. This letter will be for commander Marco, and it will give him the right to purge the infected.¡± Durance could feel the blood drain from his face. ¡°Why would they authorize such a thing?¡± ¡°The capital is in chaos,¡± the man explained. ¡°Infection is spreading far faster than can be contained, and so they are taking drastic measures. The infected are to be purged.¡± ¡°Even though some may survive?¡± The man nodded. ¡°It is too great a risk, leaving the infected alive.¡± Durance clenched his fists. ¡°Why are you telling me all this? Who are you?¡± The darkness around the man seemed to simmer as it faded away, revealing an elven man of advanced years. He wore a white robe hemmed with gold, and his face bore the scars of battle. ¡°I serve Fane, the Aspirant of Light. And he seeks to save these people.¡± The man reached into the air, a swirling mass of blackness appearing. His hand entered the darkness, then emerged with a small glass vial full of golden liquid. ¡°This is an elixir,¡± the man explained, handing the object to Durance. ¡°A single drop will cure the infected, but there is only enough for five people.¡± Durance inspected the shimmering substance, his eyes narrowing. ¡°Only five?¡± He frowned. ¡°Am I to choose who lives?¡± ¡°Unfortunately, yes.¡± The man shook his head. ¡°My master is busy producing more, but it is untested in the field. I will observe its effectiveness. ¡°You¡¯re telling me this might not even work?¡± He stared at the man, then activated [Sense Level] since he now had a clear look at him.
Skill Success: Target¡¯s level is between 56-61
He couldn¡¯t keep his jaw from falling open. Most people in Aelon didn¡¯t know about levels, and the skill to sense them was difficult to learn. But this man possessed the second highest level of anyone Durance had ever met. The elf smiled. ¡°Now that you understand how powerful I am, perhaps you will trust the possible effectiveness of the elixir?¡± Durance forced his mouth to close. ¡°This Aspirant fellow you mentioned, he stronger than you?¡± The elf¡¯s smile widened, revealing his perfectly white teeth. ¡°Much stronger. And he seeks to fill all the world with his radiant light. This is but the first of many boons my master will deliver to the people of this land.¡± Durance gripped the vial, the warm light hot against his palm. ¡°Alright then,¡± he said. ¡°I¡¯ll give it a try.¡± *** Darian rose from bed, the last rays of sunset sliding through the blinds. He carefully picked his way around them, the house filled with the scent of burnt wood. He¡¯d spent the day sleeping in what used to be Fria¡¯s brother¡¯s bed. Judging by how big the bed was, Darian figured Radrick had to be huge. Zan was curled up on the bed at the opposite end of the house. It belonged to Fria¡¯s parents, and the massive wolf seemed at peace as he lay there sleeping. He¡¯d never reached a decision about Fria¡¯s mother. While turning her into a vampire might save her, it had no guarantee of killing the infection. But he still felt conflicted, not sure on what path to take. Angry voices down the street drew his attention, and he pressed his ear to the door. ¡°More of them?¡± A man said, sighing. ¡°That¡¯s three today.¡± ¡°Thought you only got sick if they was showing symptoms?¡± A woman said, her voice gruff. ¡°Guess not.¡± Then soft steps approached from behind the house and Darian turned. Fria came in through the back window, working the latch open with her knife. She slipped in silently, closing the shutters behind her. ¡°What has you sneaking around?¡± Darian asked, Zan perking up, his tail wagging. ¡°They wouldn¡¯t give me permission to leave the house.¡± She pointed over her shoulder with the knife. ¡°So I let myself out.¡± There was shouting somewhere in the house beside there¡¯s, the sound unperceivable to Fria. Though it wasn¡¯t anger in their voice, but fear. ¡°What¡¯s going on out there?¡± ¡°Not sure,¡± Fria replied, squatting by her parent¡¯s bed. ¡°But it¡¯s big.¡± She reached out and grunted, her arms straining as she pulled a long chest out from under the bed. ¡°This belonged to Father,¡± she said, flipping the bronze clasps. ¡°What¡¯s in there?¡± Darian asked, standing behind her. She flipped it open, then smiled as she gripped the bow within. ¡°Briar.¡± The bow was made of dark wood, but a green vine swirled around it, capping off each end of the bow with what looked like the hissing head of a serpent. ¡°It¡¯s from Father¡¯s time in the Emerald Branch.¡± She reached down and pulled out a pouch filled with bow string. ¡°A gift from the king.¡± ¡°And he didn¡¯t take it with him to fight the necromancer?¡± Darian asked. ¡°He hated serving the Branch, but more than that.¡± She tapped one of the serpent''s heads. ¡°The bow enchants arrows with magical poison. Useless against the undead, but just the thing if I need to kill some Justicars.¡± A knock came at the door. Darian hadn¡¯t heard the person approach. ¡°It¡¯s Durance. I¡¯m coming in.¡± The dwarf entered and then shut the door behind him, his face pale. Then he spotted the bow, a hint of recognition on his face. But it was quickly smothered, and he straightened his back. ¡°There¡¯s been a development,¡± he said. ¡°Marco has received the right of purging.¡± Fria froze and her eyes widened. ¡°The right of purging?¡± Darian didn¡¯t know what it was, but it certainly didn¡¯t sound good. ¡°He¡¯s going to kill the infected,¡± Fria said, her knuckles whitening against the bow. ¡°He¡¯s going to kill my mother.¡± Darian stepped toward the door, his body moving on its own. But Durance moved to block him. ¡°Stop, listen to me, please.¡± ¡°Make this quick,¡± Darian said, his ears picking up the thud of frantic boots on the road. ¡°Not everyone agrees with the commander and so he¡¯s put the decision to a vote.¡± Fria scoffed. ¡°A vote?¡± ¡°The man likes to play at being a fair commander,¡± Durance said. ¡°But he¡¯s a snake. He¡¯s already bribed or threatened most of the others. He¡¯ll end up getting what he wants.¡± ¡°Then we¡¯re wasting time,¡± Darian said, his stomach grumbling. ¡°Hold it.¡± The dwarf stuck one meaty hand forward. ¡°I have something that might cure the infected. I can distract the commander while you two get them out of the village.¡± ¡°And where would we go?¡± Fria rightly asked. ¡°Winter has come. Sickness or no, they would never survive out there.¡± Sweat dripped down the dwarf¡¯s face. ¡°It¡¯s the only way to avoid slaughter.¡± ¡°But my people would die, just the same,¡± Fria replied. ¡°And I¡¯d rather fight for them, even if they don¡¯t have much time left.¡± Darian reached into his inventory and removed Sparkblade, the dwarf¡¯s eyes widening. ¡°Durance,¡± Darian said. ¡°Sometimes there is no right choice. And you seem like a good man, but I will ask you this only once.¡± His fangs emerged, thick and sharp. ¡°Get out of my way.¡± B2 Chapter 4 - A Fanatic Durance stumbled, his back colliding with the door as he stared at Darian¡¯s fangs. ¡°What are you?¡± he asked, his eyes wide. ¡°Someone who wants you to move.¡± Darian stepped forward. He could feel the dwarf¡¯s sour breath on his cheek, smell the sweat forming on his brow. And his fear, he could practically taste it in the air. ¡°What is it you plan on doing?¡± Durance asked, his resolve slowly returning. ¡°Kill the whole lot of them?¡± If the Justicars in the village were each around Jorg in terms of strength, Darian wouldn¡¯t stand a chance. But they appeared weak, more similar to the Lich Cultists from the swamp. And if he killed Durance now, that would eliminate one of the two people who actually posed a threat. ¡°Darian,¡± Fria said, gripping him by the elbow. ¡°Maybe there¡¯s another option.¡± Darian stepped away from the dwarf. ¡°If they are going to kill the infected, what other choice do we have?¡± He looked into her sad eyes. ¡°Your mother will die if we don¡¯t kill them first.¡± This was a violent world. His time in the forest taught him that. And that meant some problems could only have violent solutions. ¡°Even if you were capable of doing it,¡± Durance said. ¡°You¡¯d be killing a lot of good men and women in the process.¡± ¡°If they were good, they wouldn¡¯t let Marco do as he pleased.¡± But Durance had a slight point. If some of the killing could be avoided, it was worth considering. ¡°You said there is going to be a vote?¡± Darian asked, his temper cooling. ¡°Where and when is this voting happening?¡± ¡°The longhouse,¡± Durance answered. ¡°They¡¯re going to do the vote at the base of the hill in an hour or so.¡± ¡°Would those who oppose Marco be willing to fight him and his men?¡± Durance shook his head. ¡°They may not approve, but none in the order would raise their weapons against a brother or sister of Argus.¡± ¡°Marco is a Justicar,¡± Fria said. ¡°And that hasn¡¯t stopped him from threatening the others. You said as much.¡± The dwarf huffed. ¡°What do you expect me to do?¡± Darian thought about it for a moment, then he spoke. ¡°Gather those you trust, those who don¡¯t agree with Marco, and skip the meeting. I will handle the rest.¡± ¡°You plan on killing those who side with Marco, is that right?¡± The dwarf¡¯s face was hard to read, angry one second and ashamed the next. ¡°No, I can¡¯t allow it. Argus would never forgive me.¡± ¡°Durance,¡± Fria said. ¡°You know what the commander and his supporters are doing is wrong. I know you and Father disagreed about how the church operates, but even you must see how their methods grow more brutal with each passing year. This is but the most recent example.¡± ¡°Look at you, speaking like you understand.¡± Durance frowned. ¡°You know only what your father told you. Yes, the church has made many mistakes, but it is the only thing keeping this nation held together.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not asking you to fight,¡± Darian said. ¡°But to simply stand aside. If you can¡¯t do that, then is it fair of me to assume you¡¯re my enemy?¡± His grip on his sword tightened. ¡°I will not listen to threats, boy.¡± Durance stood straighter. ¡°Will you really side with someone who wishes to slaughter the innocent?¡± Fria asked. ¡°Loyal citizens who once looked to the church for aid? Is cutting them down something you will truly allow?¡± Durance looked at her, his face softening. ¡°I owe my life to the church, but you would ask me to betray it?¡± ¡°Not the church. Just one man,¡± Darian said. ¡°A man that plans on killing people who need his help, not the edge of his blade.¡± The dwarf went to argue, but then his shoulders sagged. ¡°I¡­very well.¡± He raked his hand through his beard, eyes lost in thought. ¡°I will gather those who oppose Marco and direct them away from the meeting. Those who remain with him will have made their choice and they can be¡­dealt with as you see fit.¡± He looked into Darian¡¯s eyes. ¡°But I will not fight for you. Any spilling of Justicar blood is to be on your hands, not mine.¡± ¡°Better for their blood to spill than the people of my village,¡± Fria said, her voice measured. Durance regarded them for a moment, then turned for the door. ¡°Durance,¡± Darian said. ¡°Do not betray us.¡± He huffed, then made his exit, the door closing softly behind him. ¡°Can he be trusted?¡± Darian liked his odds if he could pick a few of them off from stealth, but if the Justicars surrounded them, things would get a lot more complicated. ¡°He might be a fanatical fool, but he has a good heart. I believe him.¡± Darian peeked through the shutters, ears picking up the sound of Durance¡¯s voice. He couldn¡¯t quite make out the words, but whoever he was talking to whispered something back to him, then walked down the street. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°I will stay for a little while longer,¡± Darian said. ¡°But then I¡¯m heading out.¡± ¡°What do you plan on doing?¡± Fria asked, retrieving a fresh quiver. He turned, a sly smile forming on his lips. ¡°I¡¯m going to prepare a few little surprises for Argus¡¯ followers.¡± *** The night had a particular edge to it as Marco made his way down the street. He did his best to smile at the few villagers he saw, but his patience was wearing thin. He¡¯d been with Knight Commander Thalion hunting demons only a month ago, and now he was at the ass end of the kingdom, playing in the mud. But it would all be over soon. Marco paused as he reached the base of the hill. The village longhouse stood above, the structure housing all of his little problems. ¡°Commander,¡± came a gruff voice. ¡°Durance!¡± Marco flashed his practiced smile at the approaching dwarf, noting the man seemed rather pale in the starlight. More Justicars were pouring in from the narrow, muddy streets, their torches splitting the night. The vote would soon commence, and then Marco could finally head back west. All he needed now was the men bringing the hay and oil. ¡°Chilly night, this one,¡± Durance said, rubbing his hands together. ¡°Makes me wish we were all indoors.¡± ¡°Indeed.¡± Marco turned back to stare at the longhouse, his arms crossed over his chest. ¡°And where are your men, Durance? If they don¡¯t arrive soon, they forfeit their right to vote on how we should¡­deal with the sick villagers.¡± ¡°I left a few to guard the streets,¡± the dwarf replied. ¡°Depending on our decision, some of the villagers may seek retribution.¡± Marco laughed. ¡°They wouldn¡¯t dare. But perhaps you have a point.¡± A cool wind blew through, the torches sputtering as over a dozen Justicars filled in around Marco. He¡¯d spent time securing votes from Durance¡¯s men, but it seemed the stupid moralistic dwarf had taken them away on his own. ¡°But I must ask, before we get started,¡± Durance said, taking his spot at Marco¡¯s side. ¡°If the vote succeeds, do you really plan on killing the infected? Some may yet beat the sickness. And should our weapons really taste the blood of innocent folk?¡± Marco gritted his teeth. He was tired of the dwarf and his silly questions. Innocent folk? They forfeited that title when the illness claimed them. Now they were but agents of the enemy. Spreaders of sickness that claimed the lives of valiant Justicars each day. ¡°What we must do is regrettable, Durance. But the infected must be culled.¡± Marco turned, the sound of hooves and wagon wheels growing closer. ¡°And I do not plan on exposing my men to the infected. We will simply burn them.¡± The wagon rounded the corner, the horse¡¯s breath misting as it trudged closer, the wagon at its back nearly bursting with hay and wood. Looking at it made Marco smile, his first genuine one in weeks. Durance took a step, nearly tumbling like he¡¯d hit the ale a little too hard. ¡°Burn them¡­¡± he said, looking over his shoulder, something close to horror on his face. ¡°You plan to burn them alive?¡± Marco clicked his tongue and shook his head. ¡°Durance.¡± He laid his hand on the dwarf¡¯s shoulder, steadying him. ¡°They are already dead. Just think of this as cauterizing a wound.¡± The dwarf watched as the wagon came to a halt and Marco¡¯s men began unloading it. Once they gathered enough around the building, Marco would ignite the piles with his holy flame. Then it would be up to Argus to handle things from there. Durance pulled away, his body and face slack as stone. ¡°I see you¡¯ve made your choice,¡± he said. ¡°Indeed,¡± Marco replied, frowning at the dwarf. He, like so many others, just didn¡¯t understand the price of righteousness. But once the infected were reduced to ash and the village was saved, he would understand. ¡°Excuse me,¡± the dwarf said. ¡°I can¡¯t witness this.¡± Marco watched the dwarf and two of Marco¡¯s own men head down the street. Heat flared in his chest, and he could no longer contain it. ¡°This is holy work!¡± he called, the dwarf turning. ¡°Whether you wish to witness this or not, what goes on here is what must be done.¡± Durance straightened his back. ¡°You are mistaken, Marco. This is not holy work.¡± He gestured at the longhouse. ¡°And you¡¯re wrong about something else. It¡¯s not the flames I can¡¯t stomach to watch.¡± Something beyond the wall howled, the hair on Marco¡¯s neck shooting up as a chill worked its way down his spine. He turned, his men all pausing to listen. Then he looked back. Durance was gone. *** Darian opened the longhouse doors, the crowd of Justicars all turning to face him. ¡°You,¡± Marco said, squinting. ¡°From last night. Henry Price, is it? What are you doing here?¡± ¡°My name is Darian Carmine, and I¡¯ve come to stop you.¡± The entire crowd had their eyes on him now. Good. ¡°I figured that name was fake,¡± Marco said, drawing his sword, the length of steel shimmering with magic. Then he noticed Darian¡¯s fangs. ¡°And what manner of beast are you?¡± ¡°I am a vampire,¡± Darian answered. Then he looked over the crowd of Justicars. ¡°I will offer you this choice once. Lay down your weapons. Abandon this madman and walk away. Do this, and I guarantee your safety.¡± No one moved. Marco scoffed, then pointed at Darian with the tip of his sword. ¡°Strong threats from a lone monster.¡± He stared at his men, his face grim. ¡°By the authority of the church, I sentence this beast to death.¡± His men drew their weapons, each eyeing each other as they slowly advanced. But their anxiety would soon be over, for none would survive. Darian reached out, his mind expanding to all the beasts tethered to him. First, he commanded the horde of dominated bats behind him to fall upon the Justicars from above. They were weak creatures, but Zan¡¯s buffing howl would see them become terrors of the night. Once they took to the sky, Darian commanded his summoned wolves to rush in from the shadows. Twelve of them were lying in wait, and the Justicars turned to face them as they rushed down the streets. As the wolves closed in, Darian¡¯s two giant bats swooped down from above, their massive fangs sinking into the unaware Justicars. Then an electrified arrow sped down from the roof of a nearby building, a Justicar filling face first in the mud with the shaft between his shoulders. Darian slowly made his way toward Marco, his men screaming as wolves and bats tore into them. ¡°Marco,¡± Darian said, bringing his sword up. ¡°What are you waiting for? I thought I was sentenced to death.¡± Darian had given his dominated and summoned creatures the same command he¡¯d given Fria. Marco was his. His face twitched as the ground became soaked in blood. Then he charged forward, his blade aimed at Marco¡¯s throat. B2 Chapter 5 - Creature of the Night Darian and Marco¡¯s swords clashed, the enchanted steel sending multicolored sparks into the air. With a grunt, Darian forced Marco on the back foot. It was clear already that Darian¡¯s strength was far greater than that of the Justicar, but the man was a skilled swordsman. He deflected Darian¡¯s attacks, throwing in swift strikes to keep Darian at bay. But as they moved into the street, Marco was running out of space to retreat. As they exchanged blocked strikes, Marco¡¯s men began to fall. Darian¡¯s wolves rushed them from behind as his dominated bats flooded their vision. Those that offered defense were shot by Fria, the woman¡¯s arrows making quick work of them. A few gathered to the right, a golden sphere appearing around them. It kept Darian¡¯s summoned creations at bay for now, but they circled the dome, testing its defenses. Marco raised his palm and Darian ducked, golden light flying over his head. The holy spell crashed into the steps that led to the longhouse and Darian could hear the stone break under the impact. Not wishing to give him further opportunity, Darian activated [Biting Swarm] on the torch cast shadows. The shapes that emerged were larger than those from [Swarm] and they surrounded Marco, their shadowy teeth tearing at him. Using the Justicar¡¯s blood, Darian activated [Crimson Daggers]. His blood flowed through the air, forming and solidifying around Darian¡¯s head. Using his thoughts, he sent the daggers toward Marco as he prepared a lunging strike. To the Justicar¡¯s credit, he knocked one of the daggers wide and dodged another. But the third sunk into his thigh, and the man cried out. Darian thrust, but Marco¡¯s sword looped down and deflected the blow. Then Marco¡¯s sword flashed blinding white, and Darian backed away, the holy energy splitting the night. And with a snarl the Justicar came at Darian with a barrage of slashes, his strength seeming to increase with each desperate attack. Now on the back foot, Darian used [Blood Shield] on a nearby corpse. With the shield at his side, he took a half step back, putting the oval of hardened blood before him and Marco¡¯s sword. But to Darian¡¯s surprise, the shield split in half after only a single blow. Then another bolt of energy shot from Marco¡¯s palm, the blast colliding with Darian¡¯s chest. It knocked him back, pain exploding from the searing wound. But as he regained his composure, he activated [Crimson Daggers] once more, this time using the blood of a gutted Justicar. Then he pulled back, letting Marco advance. When he was near striking range, Darian used [Blood Mist] to block the Justicar¡¯s vision. Launching his daggers through the mist, Darian charged forward. Darian¡¯s sword flashed down, the thin edge cutting down and into Marco¡¯s shoulder. Ripping it free, Darian kicked the man in the chest and sent him sprawling to the ground. He was cut along the arm and leg, and two blood daggers were planted in his stomach. Somehow the Justicar managed to keep hold of his sword, and he rose on shaking feet, his eyes mad in pain and fury. He took a stumbling step back, blood dripping from his wounds. Darian figured the man would fall over at any moment, but he gritted his teeth and swung his sword. But the strike was weak, and with a flick, Darian sent both the Justicar and his sword spiraling into the mud. Then he stepped forward and pressed the tip of Sparkblade to the Justicar¡¯s chest. ¡°Filthy beast,¡± Marco said, glancing at the bodies of his men, blood on his lips. The chaos that engulfed the gathered Justicars had already ended. Besides the three huddled together in the golden dome, the rest were dead. Darian¡¯s estimation about their general strength proved to be correct. If we hadn¡¯t killed Victoria, I doubt this group could have done the job. Even Marco, the one person amongst them who Darian figured could pose a challenge was nearly powerless before him. Despite the thick scent of blood in the air, Darian¡¯s thirst was mostly under control. His hunger hadn¡¯t decreased as his race changed from lesser vampire to vampire, but his urge to feast was tempered. But with so much fresh blood around him, it was difficult to keep himself from tearing into Marco. Boots slapped against the muddy street, Durance and his men fast approaching, Fria and Zan not far behind them. Darian commanded his summoned creatures to clear a path for them. Some he left to circle the three Justicars that still cowered behind their golden dome. So long as they stayed within, Darian would simply watch them. ¡°By Argus,¡± the dwarf mumbled, his face growing pale. ¡°Butchery,¡± one of Durance¡¯s men said, his eyes latching onto Darian. ¡°They would have burned the infected alive,¡± Darian said, a bit of doubt creeping into his heart. ¡°I only did what I had to do.¡± But even as he said the words, Darian¡¯s mind wandered. Was this truly the only choice? He looked over the bodies, their slack faces, eyes widened in horror. Did I make the right decision? ¡°What¡¯s done is done,¡± Durance said, his mouth drawn into a hard frown. ¡°We will gather the bodies and give them a proper burial.¡± Marco coughed. ¡°Non-human traitor.¡± ¡°The only traitor here is you,¡± Fria said, standing at Darian¡¯s side. ¡°The church for all its faults is supposed to serve and protect the people. What you attempted was murder.¡± Marco smiled, his teeth glistening red. ¡°Nothing but Argus¡¯ holy flame can stop this infection.¡± His eyes drifted across Durance and his men. ¡°When it is your brothers, your sisters, your mothers that huddle and die in the dark, know that it was men like you who let it happen.¡± He coughed again, his breath wheezing. ¡°Well, you damned beast, are you going to¡ª¡± If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Darian thrust, his sword piercing Marco¡¯s heart. The Justicar shuddered, then his head fell back to splash against the muddy and snow speckled ground. ¡°Argus preserve us,¡± Durance said, his eyes downcast. ¡°Men, gather the bodies. You know what to do.¡± His men hesitated, but eventually set to work. ¡°Darian,¡± Fria said, gripping his arm. ¡°Are you alright?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± He replied, pulling his blade free. He desperately wanted to sink his fangs into Marco, but he could not afford to do so with Durance and his men so close. They already looked at him like he was a monster, and he would not give them further reason to hate him.
Enemies Defeated [Humans Lv. 3 ¨C 7] x 8 [Human Lv. 14] Companion Contribution: 29 Class XP Gained: 167 Progress to Class Lv. 10 (419/650)
Darian and Fria exchanged glances as the screen appeared. While gaining more class XP probably should have excited him, all he felt was a touch of anxiety. He still wasn¡¯t sure about turning Fria¡¯s mother into a vampire. There were too many variables in a decision like that for him to know what to do. But he couldn¡¯t let her and the others die if he could help them, right? Though I wish helping them didn¡¯t have to be so bloody. The golden dome fell, and Darian¡¯s summoned creatures snarled at the terrified Justicars. Halt Darian commanded them with his thoughts. Durance crossed his arms over his chest as he observed the trio. ¡°Lay down your weapons,¡± he commanded. ¡°So you can kill us all the easier?¡± A shaking voice replied. ¡°No. Argus would never forgive us.¡± ¡°Surrender,¡± Darian said, commanding his monsters to close in. ¡°Please.¡± One of the Justicars, a young man, tossed his mace down and backed away from the rest. Then another, a middle-aged woman with silver-streaked hair, joined him. That left one, an older man who gripped a silver tipped spear with cold determination. It had been him who called down the dome, and it was he who regarded Darian with hate filled eyes. ¡°I would rather die than betray Argus,¡± he said, his voice flat and without fear. ¡°And the rest of you, disgraces all.¡± ¡°Would Argus truly look upon you favorably, Justicar?¡± Darian asked. ¡°Or would you only make him sick? The infected were quarantined. There was no reason to kill them.¡± ¡°Whether there was reason or not, that is for my commanders to decide.¡± The old man readied his spear. ¡°Now finish what you started, monster.¡± Darian turned away as he commanded his summons to attack. ¡°So be it.¡± The man managed to take a few down, but their sheer numbers overwhelmed him. Darian heard the fatal blow land, and he could hear the Justicar breathe his last, gurgling breath. It did not bring him joy. ¡°A grim day,¡± Durance said, nodding at two of his men as they took the prisoners away. ¡°Indeed,¡± Darian said, his chest tight. Despite wanting to rest, there was still the matter of Fria¡¯s mother and the infected to contend with. He slipped Sparkblade into his inventory and with Fria and Zan beside him, made his way up the longhouse steps. When he reached the door, he paused, his thoughts racing. ¡°I want you to know,¡± Fria said, her breath misting as a chill wind blew through the village. ¡°You don¡¯t have to do this if you don¡¯t want to.¡± Darian smiled flatly. ¡°If there¡¯s a chance I can save your mother, I have to try, right?¡± ¡°And do you still plan on turning the other villagers?¡± ¡°I do.¡± Darian straightened his back. ¡°I will offer them a choice. Those that agree to be turned I will take to your home like we discussed. It won¡¯t be safe to keep them with the others.¡± Images of vampiric villagers killing and bleeding dry the rest sent a thrum of panic through his chest. But he smothered it. ¡°I will keep the back path clear for you.¡± She sighed. ¡°But what will we do about them?¡± Darian followed her gaze to the Justicars down the hill. Killing their fellows hadn¡¯t won Darian any favors, and he doubted what he was about to do would be approved by them. ¡°If they get in our way, we kill them.¡± Fria¡¯s grip tightened around her bow. ¡°But only if we absolutely must.¡± ¡°Only if we must,¡± Darian reassured. As they stood watching the Justicars, Durance came up the hill. ¡°With Marco gone, I am in command now,¡± he said, frowning at the falling snow. ¡°But the men are near panicking already.¡± He looked over his shoulder at Darian¡¯s summoned beasts. ¡°They worry you plan on killing the rest of us.¡± Darian watched as the Justicars began pulling their dead from the street. ¡°I don¡¯t wish for more violence.¡± He locked eyes with Durance. ¡°But if you try and stop me, then know I will have no choice.¡± ¡°And what is it that you plan on doing?¡± the dwarf asked. ¡°Darian can cure the infected,¡± Fria said. ¡°By making people like him.¡± ¡°Like¡­him?¡± The dwarf somehow managed to frown even deeper. ¡°And you, you¡¯re immune I take it?¡± Darian nodded. ¡°And I can make other¡¯s immune. But the process will¡­change them.¡± The dwarf reached into his satchel and pulled out a small golden vial. ¡°I was given this by a rather strange fellow. He said it could cure the infected, but there was only enough for five people.¡± ¡°Keep it for those who refuse my offer,¡± Darian said. Durance nodded and placed the glowing object back into his satchel. ¡°Very well.¡± Then he turned. ¡°Do what you must, creature of the night.¡± Darian cocked his head at the dwarf¡¯s words as he descended the hill. ¡°Are you sure about this?¡± Fria asked. ¡°Not at all.¡± Darian gripped the longhouse door. ¡°But my path is set.¡± Darian no longer believed in some all-powerful god, but he couldn¡¯t help but offer up a silent prayer as he stepped into the darkness. B2 Chapter 6 - Night of the Vampire The first thing Darian noticed was the smell. It hit him like a tidal wave. Rot, decay, and the putrid mixture of filth all coalesced to smash against his senses. And despite his enhanced perception, the shapes that shuffled in the darkness appeared more like blurred phantoms than people. They regarded him with bloodshot eyes, each too weak to speak out. The sight of them turned Darian¡¯s stomach and reminded him of his desperate nights alone waiting to die. ¡°People of the village,¡± he said in a commanding voice. ¡°I do not come to harm you.¡± They moved closer, some standing to walk on shaking legs, others crawling across the floor like wounded animals. ¡°Then why do you come?¡± Said a woman¡¯s voice. She was tall, and despite the blood trailing down her face and her advanced years, she struck Darian as quite the beauty. But her fiery red hair marked her as Fria¡¯s mother. And through her stained dress, Darian could tell one of her legs was gone. Destroyed by the Justicars during an ¡°accident¡± according to Fria. ¡°Aelen Rostcliff,¡± Darian said, doing his best to offer a warm smile. ¡°I am a friend of your daughter''s.¡± ¡°She mentioned you in our brief conversation.¡± She stopped about ten paces from him, the other infected villagers gathering around her. ¡°But you should not be here.¡± ¡°I am immune to this plague,¡± Darian said. ¡°It cannot harm me.¡± That sent a murmur through the crowd, then a young man with blonde hair inched forward, dragging himself across the ground. By the white underclothes he wore and the golden sun necklace around his neck, Darian realized the boy was one of the sick Justicars. ¡°Then you are one of Argus¡¯ chosen.¡± He bowed his head, several of the villagers following suit. Fria had told him once the people of her village were not devout Argus worshipers, but desperate times seemed to have changed their minds. ¡°No. I am not blessed by Argus.¡± He waited for all eyes to return to him. ¡°But I am blessed, in a sense. For not only am I immune, but I can share this immunity with others.¡± Aelen and the rest did not seem convinced. ¡°How?¡± ¡°I am not human.¡± Darian let his fangs emerge, a few of the infected gasping at the sight. ¡°I am a vampire, a creature of the night. And I can share my gift with you.¡± The young Justicar scooted away, his blood-streaked face a mixture of shock and confusion. Then Darian spotted a familiar, grim face amidst the crowd. ¡°Darian?¡± the man said, his voice full of gravel. ¡°Jorg.¡± Darian had no love for the Justicar, but the man was a shadow of his former self. His cheeks were sunken, his skin pale, and foul-smelling blood leaked out from the corner of his watery eyes. ¡°Can you truly¡­make others like you?¡± The Justicar wobbled as he spoke, all his old strength gone. ¡°I can,¡± Darian assured, though he wasn¡¯t sure on how the process would go. He¡¯d read the skill again prior to coming here. He would need to drain the target of blood, then have them drink some of his vampiric blood to complete the process. ¡°You are a monster,¡± the blonde headed Justicar said, drawing an angry look from Jorg. ¡°You¡¯ve come to tempt us away from Argus¡¯ holy light.¡± He gripped his necklace with what little strength he had, looking at the sick villagers around him. ¡°Do not listen to him, good people. Trust in Argus can be our only salvation.¡± Dark thoughts pierced Darian¡¯s mind as his temper flared. But he would not force anyone to accept his offer. Ultimately, it would be up to the individual to decide. ¡°Argus has abandoned us,¡± a woman from the corner said, clutching a young boy close to her chest. There was another on the ground beside her. Darian could not hear him breathing. That is when he noticed the bodies stacked in the corners, their faces covered in dirty sheets. Looking at them lit a fire in Darian¡¯s heart, and he stepped closer to the crowd. ¡°Argus is not here. I am.¡± He looked them each in the eye, one after another. ¡°But I will not force my¡­gift onto you. And know that once you become a vampire, there will be no turning back. You will forever hunger for blood, and you will never again be able to walk in the sunlight, for it will burn you to ash.¡± ¡°See!¡± the young Justicar cried. ¡°This blasphemer is but a demon sent to collect your souls. What he offers will forever put you out of Argus warm embrace.¡± His hand lit up, but whatever skill he attempted to activate failed, and he fell back, his face streaked with sweat. ¡°Part of what he says is true, I will admit.¡± As Darian spoke, two of the villagers moved to stand beside him. ¡°You will never again be able to warm yourself in the sun¡¯s light, and the followers of Argus may come for you. But know they gathered outside this night with the intention of burning you alive.¡± Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. Fria¡¯s mother hung her head. ¡°I suspected they would attempt such a thing.¡± She eyed the young Justicar and two of his companions. ¡°Since their God¡¯s defeat at the hands of Atarax, they have become far more brutal.¡± ¡°The commander,¡± the young Justicar rasped. ¡°He only does what he must.¡± ¡°Your commander is dead.¡± Darian said. ¡°He and most of his men.¡± ¡°Monster,¡± the Justicar said, his eyes widened in fury. ¡°Monster,¡± Darian said in a mocking tone. He was growing tired of hearing that word directed at him. ¡°I killed him to stop him from killing you. Perhaps you¡¯d rather burn to death?¡± Darian squared his shoulders. ¡°As a vampire, men like this will label you a monster, a beast. And perhaps they will be right.¡± He glanced at Aelen. ¡°But a good friend told me that it¡¯s not what I am that makes me a monster, but what I do. Becoming a vampire will be difficult, and you will need to control your thirst for blood. But it will cure you of this plague and offer you a second chance.¡± Just like how I was offered a second chance. But he still wasn¡¯t sure turning someone would cure them. All he could do for now was hope it would work. ¡°My daughter,¡± Aelen said, hobbling closer, her walking staff tapping hard against the floor. ¡°She trusts you. And for me that is enough.¡± She looked down at her dirty dress, the cloth spotted with blood. ¡°If this lets me see her again, then I will do what is necessary.¡± The two villagers beside Darian nodded their approval, the man and woman holding hands as they reached some unspoken decision. ¡°Our children are out there,¡± the woman said. ¡°They have lost so much already. We will not have them lose us.¡± ¡°You will desire their blood,¡± Darian said, his voice low. ¡°Seeing them again will be too dangerous, at least until you can control your thirst.¡± ¡°Even then,¡± her husband said, giving his wife¡¯s hand a tight squeeze. ¡°I would do anything to see them again, even if the chance to do so safely is small.¡± Some might consider their desires selfish, but Darian thought of his parents. What would they have done to see him one last time? ¡°Anyone who wishes to become a vampire, please gather around me. But be sure this is what you truly desire.¡± Two more people came forward, both young men around seventeen or sixteen years old. Then an older woman after them. Darian eyed the small gathering of Justicars, his mouth falling open as one of their number lumbered forward. ¡°There is still much I must do,¡± Jorg said, frowning. ¡°Dying here would forever stain my honor.¡± But the Justicar couldn¡¯t make eye contact with Darian. He simply moved past him to join the others. Then the woman who clutched her son came forward, the boy¡¯s face pale as milk. ¡°Can you cure my son?¡± she asked. He looked down at the boy, the child¡¯s ears clogged with dried blood. Can I even turn a child into a vampire? Darian leaned close to the woman, speaking low for only her to hear. ¡°There is a dwarf in the village with a vial that will cure the two of you. Tell me your names and I will ensure he takes care of you.¡± He wasn¡¯t sure Durance¡¯s golden liquid could cure her son, but if it didn¡¯t, he could resort to turning the boy into a vampire. ¡°My name is Veronica,¡± she whispered. ¡°And my son¡¯s name is Tomas.¡± Darian nodded. ¡°I will speak with the dwarf as soon as I can.¡± She whispered her thanks and backed away. None of the other villagers approached Darian. They instead huddled back from him, some praying to Argus for their salvation. Darian was readying himself to speak more when Jorg nudged his arm. ¡°They are decided,¡± he said, wiping a thin trickle of blood from his ear. ¡°No amount of convincing will get them to follow you now. Darian didn¡¯t trust the Justicar, but his gut told him the man was right. ¡°Very well.¡± He turned for the door. ¡°Follow me.¡± *** They arrived at Fria¡¯s home without incident. She had shown Darian a back path, one that would keep the infected out of the main street. Only six people shuffled along behind him, their bodies shivering in the cold. Darian was most impressed with Fria¡¯s mother, who despite being limited to one leg showed great strength on their short journey. ¡°What will happen to those we left behind?¡± Isaac, one of the teenage boys, asked. ¡°The remaining Justicars will continue to watch them, I think. But I can¡¯t be sure.¡± He could overhear the remaining Justicars talking as they made their way here, but they talked of Darian and not of the infected. Darian opened the door, the warmth of the far fire pressing against his cheek. Then he helped the others inside. Fria and Zan were gone, as was planned. She was to stay with a friend on the eastern side of the village and keep watch on the Justicars. Darian couldn¡¯t be sure they wouldn¡¯t try something while he slept. He turned and regarded the group, his heart racing. This is it. From this night onward, he would no longer be alone. A new race would be born into this world, with Darian as their creators. Fria¡¯s mother had been chosen as the first, and she came to him with a mixture of fear and apprehension. ¡°Are you sure?¡± he asked her once more. She nodded. ¡°I am.¡± Darian gripped her gently by the shoulders, his fangs emerging. Most of the villagers looked away, but one of the young boys and Jorg continued to stare. Then his fangs sunk into her neck, and he drank and drank until he could feel her heart slow, her life nearly snuffed out. She became limp in his arms, and her walking staff clattered to the ground. Her sweet blood dripped down his chin, and he fought the urge to drain her dry. But he pulled away while she still breathed. Then he bit into his wrist, tearing the flesh. ¡°Drink,¡± he commanded as he pressed the wound to Aelen¡¯s mouth. There was a thrum in the air as she consumed Darian¡¯s blood¡ªan energy in the atmosphere that pulsed from his body into hers. Then she convulsed, her eyes fluttering. He carried her to the bed in the corner and placed her gently on the blankets. There she lay, her veins pulsing with new power. He turned, the villagers looking at him with expressions ranging from fear to awe. ¡°Alright then,¡± he said, wiping the blood from his lips. ¡°Who¡¯s next?¡± B2 Chapter 7 - Steps From Above Darian fell back into the chair, his belly full to bursting. The villagers all lay on the floor before him, twitching and writhing in their slumber. He¡¯d laid out some blankets for them to rest on, but they were now strewn across the ground, tossed aside as the villager¡¯s bodies began to change. His divine skill said transformation could take up to a full day, but after only an hour he could see the effects of his blood. Their skin grew paler by the minute, and as their eyes flickered, he could see the red beneath. Darian had entered this world already changed, so he had little idea of what to expect when others went through the transformation. But it did not appear pleasant. To his eyes, they seemed to be stuck in some kind of fitful dream. They grunted in pain, clutching the floor, teeth gritted. And their waxen faces dripped with sweat as their veins bulged and their breathing became ragged. Darian rose and walked to the windows. He¡¯d placed sheets over them to block the sun and as he checked to make sure they were secure, he listened. Outside there was much commotion, both from the Justicars and the villagers. But while they panicked about Marco¡¯s death, he heard no mention of retribution. It seemed they were safe for now. And if someone tried something, he could hear the pitter patter of soft feet on the roof above. Fria¡¯s arrows would find any who dared approach them with the intent to harm. As he listened, he heard the short gait of Durance approach from the road. The dwarf muttered a curse as he reached the door, his heavy fist thudding against the thick wood after a moment¡¯s pause. None of the villagers seemed to notice the sound. They simply continued to squirm upon the ground. Looking at them sent a pang of guilt through Darian¡¯s heart, but they¡¯d asked for this. ¡°Yes?¡± Darian said with a questioning tone. ¡°We¡¯ve quarantined those in the longhouse. It is still too dangerous for them to be allowed outside.¡± Darian wondered for a second why Durance was telling him this, but then he realized. He might be worried about how I will react. If I will be a threat. ¡°Those within sit in their own filth,¡± Darian said. ¡°And the bodies of the dead are left to rot where they fell.¡± He rested his forehead against the door. ¡°I understand why you can¡¯t let them leave, but there must be something you can do for them?¡± Durance sighed, the rings in his beard clinking. ¡°The men I have left are conflicted. Those not busy burying the dead already prepare to leave. Two have remained to guard the longhouse, but I fear we will be gone before long.¡± ¡°Then it will be up to the those left behind to care for the infected.¡± Part of Darian was relieved to hear the Justicars would be leaving, but he worried about what would happen once they reached civilization. ¡°You have won no friends here,¡± Durance said, his voice low. ¡°Despite his¡­fervor, Marco was a high ranking Justicar. His death will raise questions.¡± ¡°I will be gone from this village soon. If you need someone to blame, blame me. I don¡¯t wish for the village to suffer because of my actions.¡± He looked over at the people writhing nearby. Perhaps the village will suffer either way. ¡°We plan on telling command the dead Justicars fell to the plague. Whether those who remain will stick to this story, only time will tell. But the only alternative is admitting they allowed their commander to be murdered. That should stall their tongues.¡± ¡°Murder,¡± Darian mumbled. ¡°The man would have burned the infected alive. Killing him was necessary.¡± Durance made a sound between a grunt and a growl. ¡°I will not argue with you. But know there will be consequences for what you¡¯ve done. In this world or the next.¡± ¡°Perhaps,¡± Darian replied. ¡°But before you go, this elixir of yours, you said it can cure the infected?¡± ¡°Supposedly,¡± Durance answered, a hint of venom in his voice. ¡°But it¡¯s untested.¡± It wasn¡¯t what Darian wanted to hear, but his ¡°method¡± was also untested. ¡°There is a woman among the infected named Veronica. I told her that she and her son Tomas could count on you to cure them. Even if you¡¯re unsure it will work, I ask that you give the cure to them first.¡± ¡°You are in no position to ask something like that,¡± Durance huffed. ¡°But I already planned on giving the cure to the children. Tomas will be the first I see.¡± If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Darian recalled the room. There had only been one child still breathing when he arrived. But he couldn¡¯t bring himself to tell the dwarf for some reason. He wasn¡¯t sure if it was the pain in Durance¡¯s voice, or something else, but Darian found the words lost. ¡°If there is elixir left,¡± Darian said. ¡°Please give it to Veronica.¡± The dwarf shifted from foot to foot, and though Darian couldn¡¯t see his face through the door, he could tell it was twisted by doubt. ¡°I will consider it.¡± Then Durance turned, his boots squelching against the wet earth. ¡°Miss Rostcliff will keep you updated if something in the village changes.¡± Darian listened as the dwarf¡¯s short steps drew away, the village whistling as mountain wind blew through. He backed away from the door and turned, shocked to see someone standing behind him. Jorg¡¯s face was glistening from sweat, but he stood upright, his shoulders proud. His eyes were bright red but slightly vacant, as if he was distracted by something. ¡°Jorg?¡± Darian eased forward, the big man blinking like he just noticed Darian was there. ¡°I feel¡­¡± he looked around. ¡°Hungry.¡±
Quest Added: Nightlord Objective: Create fifty vampires. (1/50)
Darian nearly jumped as the quest notification trumpets blared. As Jorg continued to wander the room in a strange daze, Darian looked over the quest rewards. But I don¡¯t desire to make more vampires? Quests thus far were based on his desires. If he wanted something, the system would facilitate a reward. But he didn¡¯t want to make more vampires if he could help it. Doing so was simply a last resort. An answer to an unanswerable situation. Since Jorg was up, Darian decided to quickly check the others. But none had stirred from their fitful sleep. ¡°You said you were hungry?¡± Darian asked as he approached the vampiric Justicar. The man¡¯s beard was still dark, and his ears were still rounded. But his crimson eyes, pale skin, and fangs marked him as a vampire. ¡°I am.¡± He touched his stomach like he was teasing a fresh wound. Darian anticipated the turned would need blood, but he didn¡¯t think any of them would rise so quickly. ¡°Fira or Zan can find something for you,¡± Darian said. ¡°But until then, we must remain here.¡± ¡°This hunger.... It¡¯s nearly overpowering.¡± ¡°I know.¡± Darian grabbed the chair he¡¯d been sitting on and slid it forward. ¡°Take a seat.¡± Jorg, still confused, sat down with some hesitation. His stomach growled as he did so, and the Justicar groaned. Darian approached the back window and poked his head out. ¡°Fria!¡± he called. He expected the girl to drop down or call from above, but she appeared around the corner of the house, Zan beside her. ¡°One of them has risen,¡± Darian said. ¡°Who?¡± Fria asked, stopping as Darian warned her to stay away. He still didn¡¯t know if the infection was eliminated in the people he turned. Until then, it was best for her to keep her distance. ¡°It¡¯s Jorg.¡± Darian glanced over his shoulder. ¡°He¡¯s hungry for blood, but otherwise alright.¡± ¡°Hungry?¡± Fria frowned. ¡°I suppose you want us to find something?¡± Darian nodded. ¡°I didn¡¯t think anyone would have turned this quickly.¡± He looked up at the falling snow. ¡°Do you think you or Zan can find something in this weather? Even a rabbit would do.¡± ¡°We can try. But I can¡¯t be in two places at once.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think any of the Justicars will try anything,¡± Darian said. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t need to keep guard.¡± ¡°Perhaps.¡± She scratched Zan between the ears, then walked toward the road. ¡°We won¡¯t be gone long.¡± Darian nodded and then pulled back from the window. Jorg was still seated, but he appeared to be growing restless. ¡°They will be back soon,¡± Darian said. ¡°How are you feeling?¡± ¡°Ashamed.¡± His shoulders slumped. ¡°What Argus must think of me now¡­¡± ¡°Not to be rude,¡± Darian said, leaning against the wall. ¡°But I¡¯ve heard a few people tell me Argus is dead. How can he be angry with you if he¡¯s not here?¡± Jorg frowned. ¡°Only his physical body was slain.¡± He looked up at the ceiling, his red eyes catching a hint of the firelight. ¡°But he watches us from his throne within the sun, judging our sins.¡± ¡°He sounds kind of like¡ª¡± Darian stopped as he heard it. The sound was soft and at the edge of Darian¡¯s hearing, but he heard the tap of feet on the roof once more. But he could tell now. The sound didn¡¯t belong to Fria. B2 Chapter 8 - Light Killer Aurel watched the Justicars from the rooftop, his bottom lip curling in disgust. When they¡¯d gathered to set fire to the longhouse, he thought briefly of intervening. Both to stop a needless slaughter, but also for his master, the Aspirant of Light. Fane had sent him far to deliver his elixir to the dwarf. If the infected died, he would have no way to observe its effects. But another had stepped in. A man who called himself a vampire. At nearly four hundred years old, Aurel had heard that name but once, spoken from the mouth of a God to the ear of another. But when Argus mentioned it, Aurel had paid it little mind. Hearing it again stirred up old memories, both warm and bitter. But no matter how hard Aurel tried, he could not remember why Argus had mentioned the word ¡°vampire¡±. The human woman named Fria returned to the home, her wolf companion close beside her. Aurel¡¯s body was wreathed in shadow, his steps lighter than air. But the wolf¡¯s nose could still smell him, and so he sunk back on the slanted roof, careful of where he placed his feet. Aurel listened as the white-haired man named Darian and the woman spoke. Supposedly the man also had a way to cure the infected, and this piqued Aurel¡¯s ancient curiosity. Fane¡¯s elixir, an alchemical concoction containing his divine blood, was supposed to be the only cure. After the woman stalked away, Aurel relaxed. He would stay and watch the village for a time. When the dwarf administered the cure, he would wait to ensure it worked. Then he would return to the capital. Fanes¡¯ other companions would surely be on there way back by now, and he didn¡¯t enjoy leaving the exalted one alone for so long. Despite his powerful divine skill, Fane was still limited to level twenty. But perhaps fate was kind, and another of the Aspirants had died in his absence, though Fane would hardly consider that a good thing. ¡°Who are you,¡± a voice said from behind. ¡°And what are you doing here?¡± Aurel spun, taken off guard for the first time in decades. ¡°How did you know I was up here?¡± he asked the vampire. ¡°Heard your steps.¡± Darian squinted at Aurel as if he was trying to see through the shell of obscuring darkness that surrounded him. Aurel activated his skill [Danger Sense], the skill letting him know the man was weaker than him, but still a threat. The vampire extended his hand, and a swirling black mass appeared. From within it he drew a sword, the blade tinted red from arcane flame. ¡°An inventory,¡± Aurel mumbled. ¡°How interesting.¡± *** Darian regretted not pulling Sparkblade out before coming to the roof. He should have known better than to use his inventory in front of potential enemies. But with how silent the footsteps on the roof were, he hadn¡¯t been sure if someone was actually up there. ¡°Please,¡± the shadowed figure said, raising his arms wide. ¡°I do not wish for violence.¡± ¡°Then you won¡¯t mind answering my questions.¡± Darian widened his stance, preparing to dodge or block if he needed to. He was standing at the top of the slanted roof, and his footing was poor. But if the man tried anything, Darian could use [Dash Strike] to close the distance. The shadows around him shifted, then evaporated. The tall elf that remained smiled, his wrinkled face split by three old scars. He carried no weapons and wore a white robe, the gold thread along the sleeves glinting from some kind of enchantment. ¡°My name is Aurel, and I am here on behalf of my master, Fane.¡± He bowed. ¡°And what does this Fane person want with this village?¡± The elf was wide open for an attack, his guard entirely down. But Darian didn¡¯t relax. ¡°To save it.¡± He turned and looked toward the longhouse, his back now facing Darian. ¡°If only a little at a time.¡± ¡°You recognized my inventory,¡± Darian inched forward. ¡°Are you one of the Aspirants?¡± ¡°I am not,¡± Aurel answered without hesitation. ¡°But I am what the system classifies as a companion.¡± He looked over his shoulder and grinned. ¡°But you are an Aspirant. Honestly, I should have realized it the moment you proclaimed yourself a vampire.¡± Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. ¡°You know about vampires?¡± Aurel shook his head. ¡°I¡¯ve only heard whispers, and these were nearly two hundred years ago. But they were spoken by someone who once was an Aspirant himself.¡± He pointed at Darian¡¯s sword. ¡°Now, can you please lower your weapon? As I said, I did not come to inflict violence.¡± Looking at the elf¡¯s soft face made Darian feel guilty, but he would not lower his weapon. ¡°Aspirants have to kill each other, don¡¯t they? That makes you my enemy.¡± Aurel¡¯s eye twitched, and he frowned. ¡°That may be what the system desires, but not all of us are so quick to heed its call for bloodshed.¡± He took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment. ¡°This world has been locked in an endless struggle for power since before I was born. But now the sea of blood rises, and I fear we may all drown in the coming tide.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± His eyes opened, revealing a deep pool of sadness. ¡°The Gods of this world tire of their endless struggles, and so they have committed fully to destroying one another. Argus attempted to bring peace, but with his death, there can be only war. A war that will shake the foundations of the world and bring about its ruin.¡± Darian didn¡¯t know what to say. He wanted to distrust this strange elf, but something deep within his soul told him Aurel spoke the truth.
Quest Added: Light Killer Objective: Kill (**ERROR**) Bonus Objective: Kill Aurel Abate
¡°I see the system already wishes for you to kill me and my master.¡± Aurel stared at the screen floating before Darian¡¯s face with disgust. ¡°How many lives have been lost due to its crooked influence, I wonder?¡± ¡°Why is there an error?¡± Darian asked, trying to keep his attention focused on the elf. ¡°Some aspects of the system, such as knowing someone¡¯s true name, can be blocked or altered. It is one of the many things we have discovered over the centuries.¡± He smiled. ¡°And we can show you how to do this, if you would like to join us.¡± ¡°Join you?¡± Darian didn¡¯t like where this was going. ¡°Yes. My master and his benefactor are gathering their forces. For by this time next year, the Godwar will commence in full.¡± He stepped closer, Darian tensing. ¡°The system directs and pulls at each Aspirant and each God, pitting them against each other. Even now, an Aspirant of plague searches for my master with the intent of taking his life.¡± ¡°This plague,¡± Darian said, nodding in the direction of the longhouse. ¡°It was caused by an Aspirant then, wasn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°It was. But their divine skill should still be in its fledgling state. No, to be capable of this, the plague Aspirant would need a powerful ally.¡± He looked Darian up and down. ¡°Which is why we need others to join us.¡± ¡°Think I will have to pass on that offer.¡± Darian lowered his weapon. ¡°I want no part in some Godwar or whatever.¡± Aurel hunched his shoulders. ¡°Be that as it may, this war will come for all of us, sooner or later. No matter where you run or where you hide, there will be no escaping it.¡± ¡°Suppose we will just have to see about that.¡± Aurel smirked. ¡°I will not pressure you into joining us. Though you are lucky I sense goodness in you.¡± His eyes narrowed. ¡°For I will eliminate all threats to my master and his allies.¡± ¡°I get it,¡± Darian said. ¡°But I don¡¯t wish to fight you, your master, or anyone else. I only seek to find a place for myself in this world.¡± Well, me and the new race beneath my feet. Aurel nodded. ¡°An understandable objective and one that rings true. But if you ever change your mind about joining us, head to Ulsfil and ask for me at the Purple Rose inn on the north side of the city. The people there will help you.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll consider it,¡± Darian lied. He had enough troubles right now without fighting other Aspirants. A moment of silence passed between them until Aurel straightened his back and looked into the distance. ¡°Though my master wishes for me to observe his elixir at work, seeing you has reminded me of the many threats to his life.¡± ¡°Durance¡¯s elixir, you¡¯re the one who delivered it?¡± ¡°I am. My master has a soft heart, and he does not wish to see people suffer. But it¡¯s more than that. An Aspirant¡¯s divine skill grows in power the more it¡¯s used. We fear the plague Aspirant will grow in strength the more lives his plagues claim, and so we must develop a counter to them if we hope to halt his power.¡± ¡°A noble goal,¡± Darian said, placing Sparkblade into his inventory. ¡°And I hope you do find a cure.¡± He looked down, his ears picking up the sound of Jorg becoming restless. Aurel followed Darian¡¯s gaze. ¡°It seems you are needed elsewhere.¡± He turned, solid shadows encasing him. ¡°Fare well, Aspirant of Blood. May we meet again during better times.¡± As soon as Aurel jumped down from the roof, Darian could no longer hear him. But with the elf gone, Darian was free to return to Jorg. He found the Justiciar standing by the front door, his eyes wide and hungry. ¡°Fria will return soon,¡± Darian assured once more. ¡°I can¡¯t let you go out there.¡± ¡°I understand,¡± Jorg replied. ¡°But I pray to Argus you are right, for the others have begun to rise.¡± B2 Chapter 9 - Fresh Blood One of the teenage boys was on his feet, his whole body tensed like he was about to sprint for the door. ¡°Stop.¡± Darian commanded as the boy edged forward. But it was as if Darian wasn¡¯t there. The boy just kept looking at the door, his nose twitching. And behind him, Fria¡¯s mother was stirring, her body writhing atop the bed as her eyes flickered open. The boy made for the door, his speed incredible. But Darian was faster, and he caught him by the shoulders and forced him to the floor. He twisted, but his strength was no match for Darian. ¡°Calm down!¡± But the boy continued to struggle, his mouth snapping at Darian¡¯s arm. He¡¯s like a rabid animal. Even Darian had not been this feral the first time he smelled blood, but the child was acting like a beast despite there being no crimson scent in the air. With little choice, Darian pressed his left elbow into the boy¡¯s chest as he raised his right fist. The child thrashed, his nails digging into Darian¡¯s arm. But a hard fist to the jaw stunned him, and a second blow sent him back to oblivion. Darian knew something like this was a possibility, but this did not stop a pit from forming in his gut. If the boy woke and continued to rampage, Darian would possibly have to put an end to him. But I will only do so as an absolute last resort. With some blood, the child might come to his senses. Fria¡¯s mother sat up from the bed, her red eyes blinking slowly as she observed the room. But she did not seem overtaken by her thirst. To the contrary, she appeared to be in full control of her senses. ¡°How long was I unconscious?¡± she asked, staring at those still lying on the floor. ¡°Several hours.¡± Darian glanced at the cloth covered windows. ¡°But the sun will rise before too much longer. If you are anything like me, staying awake after that will prove a pointless struggle.¡± She nodded, then looked down at her pale fingers. Balling them into fists, she smiled. ¡°My body has not felt this strong in many years.¡± ¡°A benefit of the beast¡¯s blood,¡± Jorg mumbled, his body still rigid as he fought against his instincts. Still pressing him to the floor, the boy woke with a start. But, while he did still struggle, his rabid ferocity was lessened. ¡°Isaac,¡± Aelen said. ¡°You must calm yourself.¡± Darian didn¡¯t think the woman¡¯s soft voice would be of any use, but the boy stopped resisting. ¡°It burns,¡± he said, touching his stomach. ¡°I¡¯ve never felt so hungry.¡± If he¡¯d known they would wake so soon, Darian would have prepared ahead of time. The plan always was for Fria to find something for them to drain, but he should have sent her away sooner. All of this was on him. A knock came at the door, followed by an animal snort. ¡°It¡¯s me,¡± Fria said. ¡°And I¡¯ve got you lot something to eat.¡± Aelen smiled at the sound of her daughter¡¯s voice, but Darian spoke before she had a chance to. ¡°How are you back so soon?¡± The weather outside was frigid and dim. Even with Zan¡¯s help, she should not have returned quite so quickly. ¡°I stole a farmer¡¯s cow.¡± Darian¡¯s mouth hung open for a moment, but he quickly collected himself. ¡°Probably a good call.¡± Isaac grunted, the sound of a human¡¯s voice stirring his bestial instincts. ¡°I will leave the cow tethered out here,¡± Fria said, a hint of worry in her voice. ¡°A good idea,¡± Darian replied, his forearm pressed hard against Isaac¡¯s chest. ¡°But there is someone who wants to say hello.¡± ¡°Fria,¡± Aelen said. ¡°Mother?¡± The door creaked as Fria pressed against it. ¡°Are you¡­alright?¡± Aelen¡¯s eyes glistened. ¡°I am.¡± ¡°And the infection,¡± Fria said. ¡°Is it gone?¡± Aelen rubbed her eyes, then touched her chest. ¡°I believe so, but only time can be the true test.¡± No blood leaked from Aelen¡¯s eyes or ears, but she had to be nearly empty after Darian was through with her. It was possible some of the symptoms would return after she fed. Worse would be if the vampires ended up being carriers, but Darian just had to hope that wouldn¡¯t happen. ¡°Make sure she gets her share,¡± Fria said as she pulled away from the door. Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. ¡°She¡¯ll get plenty¡± Darian assured. ¡°Now go find somewhere to warm up. I can handle things from here.¡± Fria¡¯s soft steps crunched against the fresh snow. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure to keep watch over you when the sun rises. Be careful, both of you.¡± And then she was gone. ¡°Let me go!¡± Isacc¡¯s fist slammed into Darian¡¯s cheek, but the blow held no heat in it. ¡°If I let you go right now, you¡¯re only going to get yourself killed.¡± He stared into Isaac¡¯s eyes. ¡°You became a vampire because you wanted to live, right? Then you¡¯d better get ahold of yourself.¡± Darian felt like the world¡¯s biggest hypocrite as he spoke. Luck had saved him from losing himself to the thirst more than anything else. But while Jorg had a soldier¡¯s resolve and Aelen an adventurer¡¯s will, the village boy had nothing to stem the tide of his consuming hunger. The fear of death was probably the only instincts that could halt the thirst from consuming him. ¡°Jorg,¡± Darian said through gritted teeth. ¡°Bring the cow inside.¡± ¡°Inside?¡± he said, glancing at the door. ¡°It should fit.¡± The door was wide, but Darian could hear the sound of the cow¡¯s steps¡ªit wasn¡¯t very big. ¡°You ask too much of me.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear it,¡± Darian replied. ¡°Get the cow in here now.¡± Darian hated relying on Jorg, but there was no one else around to assist. And if Isaac didn¡¯t get blood soon, Darian would have to resort to drastic measures to handle the situation. Jorg cursed, but he did as he was commanded. And despite his instincts telling him to rip the cow to pieces, he managed to get it indoors without incident. That at least made Darian respect the Justicar. The cow was brown furred, with small white patches across its ribs. But despite its relatively small size, Darian could tell the creature was well fed. He felt a bit guilty for stealing someone¡¯s farm animal, but Fria¡¯s decision was a good one. The beast was big enough to feed them all and then some. ¡°Jorg,¡± Darian said, nodding toward a cupboard on the far end of the room. ¡°Grab a cup and knife from in there.¡± The Justicar stared at the cow¡¯s neck, the beast regarding him with a mixture of confusion and fear. ¡°Do as he asks, Justicar.¡± Aelen said, the air between them shimmering. It was then that Darian realized she didn¡¯t calm Isaac with her authority alone, but she was using some sort of skill. Jorg huffed, but he retrieved a small goblet and knife, holding them in his big hands like he was afraid of breaking them. ¡°I want you to cut the cow and fill the goblet with its blood, but don¡¯t kill it.¡± While drinking its blood once was useful, Darian had an idea. He used [Dominate Animal] on the cow, calming it as Jorg pressed the knife to its shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m going to use a skill to pull the blood out,¡± Darian said. ¡°Feel free to grab the first drink, but then I need you to give the second cup to Isaac.¡± There was a small delay before blood hardened from [Blood Shield]. If Darian activated the skill on the cow¡¯s open wound, he could draw extra blood from it without further damaging the cow. Then after they¡¯d each had some to drink, Jorg could use his [Greater Healing] on the animal. It was possible that by healing the cow, they could have a further supply of blood. Jorg cut the cow open, his hand shaking as the blood began to ooze. The wound was ragged and deep, but it was the best Jorg could do given his condition. And to Darian¡¯s surprise, the Justicar waited until the blood pooled in the cup before he began to drink. He did it slowly at first, some part of him still clinging to human manners. But then he tilted the cup fully, groaning with pleasure as the blood ran down his throat and dripped from his chin. The smell of it sweetened the chill air, and both Isaac and Aelen began to grow restless. ¡°I fear I will not be able to control myself for much longer,¡± Aelen said, her eyes closed, her hands tightly clenched. ¡°Please be swift.¡± Jorg wiped his mouth, some of his old self restored. ¡°Tastes better than you¡¯d think.¡± He placed the goblet below the wound and Darian activated [Blood Shield]. He directed the blood toward the cup, stopping the skill before it could fully activate. It wasn¡¯t a particularly effective method, but it kept them from continually having to cut the cow. Isaac¡¯s eyes latched onto the cup as Jorg approached. ¡°I will let you rise,¡± Darian said. ¡°But you must only drink from the cup.¡± Darian thought about letting Isaac sink his fangs directly into the animal, but there was always the chance he could damage it too badly to be healed. And so he slowly let some of the presser off, giving Isaac enough room to sit up. He snatched the cup out of Jorg¡¯s hand with surprising speed, and he wasted no time dumping the contents into his mouth. ¡°Better?¡± Darian asked, smiling at seeing someone else¡¯s thirst sated. ¡°A little,¡± the boy said, passing the cup back to Jorg. ¡°But my stomach still hurts.¡± ¡°You will always thirst,¡± Daria said, rising to his feet. ¡°But it will get better, I promise.¡± They had Aelen drink next, followed by Jorg and Isaac getting a second helping. Now with more blood inside them, they appeared more like humans than bloodthirsty vampires. Looking at them warmed Darian¡¯s chest, but he knew their struggles were far from over. He approached the cow and laid his palm on its head. The creature shuddered, weakened from its lost blood. ¡°Jorg,¡± Darian called. ¡°Please use a healing spell on the cow. I need to see something.¡± He pressed his ear to the animal¡¯s chest and listened to the slow beat of its heart. Since the ¡°injury¡± it faced was mostly just a lack of blood, he wanted to see if using a healing spell would make its body pump blood faster. He¡¯d been told healing spells only enhanced a body¡¯s natural healing abilities. Wounds that would take days or weeks could be healed in moments with the right spell. And he wondered if it might work the same for restoring lost blood. As Jorg¡¯s spell activated, Darian could hear the beast¡¯s blood rushing. Its heart thudded as the cut on its shoulder healed. Then it snorted, its veins pulsing as they filled with warmth. He backed away. ¡°It worked.¡± He said, realizing they now had an easy source of fresh blood. ¡°It worked.¡± He turned toward the others, each regarding him with their shared crimson eyes. Darian smiled as he observed them, knowing he was truly no longer alone. For good or ill, and for the first time in his life, Darian was in a room full of vampires. B2 Chapter 10 - Into the Unknown It was an unusually warm night when Durance and the Justicars left the village. The sky was clear, and the streets filled with bright starlight as they gathered by the northern road. They¡¯d ended up staying nearly a week, both to tend to their dead, but also to fulfill their obligations to the villagers. In the days since Darian turned some of them into vampires, nearly all of the people in the longhouse had died. But through the old elf¡¯s golden elixir, five had been saved, including Veronica and her son Tomas. And to the sick Justicars¡¯ credit, they had denied Durance¡¯s cure in favor of him giving it to the villagers instead. Now Darian stood beside Fria, her mother and several of the villagers close behind. Jorg was with the boys Isaac and Krast. The Justicar had proved to be a valuable asset the last few days, especially with Krast. The boy¡¯s thirst was the worst of the bunch, and the cow¡¯s blood did little to calm him. But the child listened to Jorg, and the Justicar had taken it upon himself to mentor and watch the boy. The couple Darian had turned, Nathaniel and Beatrice, were helping tend to the remaining infected. After they¡¯d confirmed the illness was cured, they offered to help clean up the longhouse. Darian was nervous about them being alone, but at least the infected blood did not smell appetizing. And Nathaniel, who Darian learned was a retired adventurer, had his thirst the most under control. His wife on the other hand was struggling heavily. It was only the thought of spending more time with her children that seemed to keep her fangs away. Though Darian feared what she might do if she smelled an open wound. Darian had done his best over the past week to aid them. Using his own experiences, he was able to temper the new vampire¡¯s thirst. Keeping them full of cow¡¯s blood was also proving to be extremely effective as it staved off their bestial hunger. He also provided them a short list of rules, both meant to keep the villagers safe but also to keep them from harm. There was a hunter¡¯s lodge in the forest near the village the vampires were staying in. This kept them away from people, and they were only allowed to see their remaining family under Fria¡¯s supervision. While she lacked the strength to physically stop them, one of her flaming arrows would no doubt be fatal in a last resort situation. Still, Darian was filled with anxiety, for it wasn¡¯t only the Justicars who were leaving this night. Durance stood beside a loaded wagon, his men shifting uncomfortably beside him. ¡°I would not expect to see a Justicar this way for some time,¡± he said, eyeing his eagle that circled amidst the stary sky. Another messenger had come the previous day. Darian wasn¡¯t sure what the message said, but it had put all the Justiciars in an even fouler mood. He¡¯d heard mention of the ongoing demonic invasion, but he had been too busy with his vampires to pay attention to the Justicar¡¯s freighted whispers. ¡°And I would not expect to find me here if you return,¡± Darian replied. Durance huffed. ¡°Lucky for you we haven¡¯t got the manpower to get vengeance for the commander, provided that was something we wanted to do.¡± He glanced at the longhouse, shame passing over his face. ¡°But this village will see no more trouble from us, but that also means they¡¯re on their own from now on.¡± Fria bit at her bottom lip, a snide remark toward the Justicars barely contained. ¡°We thank those of you who came with kindness in your hearts,¡± Aelen said, her walking staff tapping against the road as she hobbled forward. Durance grimaced as he stared into her crimson eyes. ¡°Thank you, Aelen. We lost many fine men and women here.¡± Then he turned his attention back to Darian. ¡°People who will be missed.¡± Darian still felt a pang of guilt about what he¡¯d done. But Marco was a fanatic, and those who stood beside him had made their choice. ¡°You¡¯d better start down the road before the snows return,¡± Darian said. ¡°Goodbye, Durance,¡± Fria added, her voice softening. ¡°And I truly hope your travels are free of hardship.¡± The old dwarf smiled flatly. ¡°I¡¯m afraid hardship has already come, miss Rostcliff. And I fear it is here to stay.¡± He turned toward his men. ¡°Alright you lot, get to marching. We¡¯ve got a lot of ground to cover if we¡¯re to reach Ors by morning!¡± Then he and the Justicars disappeared down the road, Durance¡¯s eagle following them from above. ¡°Do you think his men will tell the other Justicars what we did?¡± Fria asked, a hint of worry in her voice. ¡°I¡¯m sure they will,¡± Darian replied. ¡°But most of their rage is directed at me. Part of why I don¡¯t plan on staying.¡± Not only did he worry about the Justicars returning with grater numbers, but Isaac and Krast were still too dangerous to keep within the village. And despite his strength so far, Jorg was struggling to contain his hunger of human blood. He also had his worries about Beatrice, but at least she had the stalwart Nathaniel by her side. No, it was only a matter of time before one of the boys sank his fangs into a villager. For everyone¡¯s safety, it would be best if they left. This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it ¡°I will say what I said once already,¡± Aelen said, shuffling up to her daughter¡¯s side. ¡°You are always welcome here.¡± ¡°I know¡± Darian replied. ¡°But things may become worse if I stay.¡± He reached up and gave Fria¡¯s shoulder a tight squeeze. ¡°And I don¡¯t plan on being gone forever. I will return one day.¡± Darian turned as he heard a trio of feet approaching him. Jorg was carrying a massive bag atop his back, while Krast and Isaac carried smaller supplies for their trip west. Zan nudged Darian¡¯s hand. The wolf had been sitting there so silently and with such stillness that Darian had hardly noticed he was there. ¡°You be good while I¡¯m gone, okay?¡± he scratched his furry companion between the ears. ¡°And Fria, I¡ª¡± The girl wrapped her arms around him, squeezing him hard. ¡°I will miss you.¡± Darian hesitated for a moment, then he wrapped her in his arms. ¡°And I will miss you, too.¡± She was his first real friend in this world, and his first true companion. But she needed to stay with her mother, both to assist her like she had done for Darian, but also to help keep watch over Nathaniel and Beatrice. ¡°Be safe,¡± she whispered as she pulled away, her cheeks flushed red. ¡°And I will hold you to that promise we made.¡± Aelen raised a brow at that, but Darian quickly changed the subject. ¡°Please give my regards to Beatrice and Nathaniel, and do keep an eye on them for me.¡± ¡°I will,¡± Fria said. ¡°And you keep an eye on those three.¡± She pointed with her thumb at Jorg and the boys. Jorg had still been tight lipped about what his supposed mission was. All he would tell Darian was that it was not his time to die, and that he had a holy purpose now. Darian thought maybe he¡¯d just gone insane, but he seemed rather collected, all things considered. ¡°I will watch them the best I can.¡± Darian looked down the long, dark road. ¡°You still sure about the location of those caves?¡± ¡°Sure as I can be.¡± Fria stepped up beside him, her arms crossed over her chest. ¡°There should be three on your way to Vizzera. The third is close enough to the border for you to make it across. But with this plague, I doubt the Vizzerans are just letting people through.¡± ¡°And once I¡¯m over the border, I¡¯ll just have to hope there¡¯s some accommodating roadside inns.¡± ¡°There should be plenty the further into Vizzera you get, but the first few nights may require you to improvise.¡± Fria started fidgeting with her hands, her worries about Darian roasting in the sun returning. He gripped her hand. ¡°I¡¯ll be fine. I¡¯ve always managed to find shelter from the sun, and Vizzera will be no different.¡± ¡°Let us hope so,¡± she said with a smile. ¡°I¡¯d hate to lose the system in the event of your death.¡± Darian laughed. ¡°What a tragedy that would be.¡± Then they stared down the road in silence for a while, the villagers all returning to their homes as a chill wind came down the mountain. ¡°Before you go,¡± Aelen said. ¡°I wish to thank you again. I would have died had you not made me a vampire, and for that I am grateful.¡± ¡°Be thankful it all worked out.¡± So far. ¡°Had your thirst been harder to control, I¡¯m not sure you¡¯d be thanking me right now.¡± He glanced at Krast as he spoke. Even now the boy watched the villagers with hungry eyes, his instincts barely contained. ¡°My time as a Cleric of Ofnia hardened my resolve,¡± Aelen replied. ¡°But with me here to heal the sick and wounded, this village will thrive again. And so, I thank you.¡± She bowed her head, making Darian feel a touch embarrassed. But he looked over the village. This place would have been destroyed if Darian and his team had not put an end to Victoria, and who knows what would have happened if Marco had been allowed to burn down the longhouse. He let himself feel a moment of pride at the lives he had saved. ¡°Well,¡± Fria said, taking a back step. ¡°I guess you also should be going. It might be winter, but the sun will still rear its ugly head eventually.¡± Darian gave Zan one last pat on the head before he stepped toward Jorg and the others. ¡°I¡¯ll be seeing you again, don¡¯t worry,¡± He assured over his shoulder. ¡°You¡¯d better, Darian. You¡¯d better.¡± Fria sniffled, then waved her goodbyes, Aelen doing the same. ¡°Right cheery lot,¡± Jorg mumbled, nudging Krast down the road. ¡°But I hope no other ills befall this village. It¡¯s seen enough death and mayhem already.¡± ¡°They¡¯ll be fine,¡± Darian replied as he made his way down the hill. ¡°I would worry more about us.¡± ¡°Vizzera,¡± Jorg said with a bit of a growl in his voice. ¡°You really think the children will be better off there?¡± ¡°They shouldn¡¯t be hunted at least. And I have some connections there we can use.¡± He thought of the odd coin Harper had given him. ¡°And after we get there, what do you plan on doing then?¡± Darian turned as they reached a bend in the road. Fria and her mother were still there, waving their goodbyes. He smiled at the sight of them. ¡°I will explore this world and find a home for myself. A place where me and my kind have nothing to fear. And I will fill that place with the people I care about.¡± Jorg chuckled, the sound dry. ¡°A childish goal.¡± He moved down the road. ¡°But one I hope you realize.¡± He lingered there for a moment, his heart heavy. But then he turned and worked his way into the unknown, the world opening up before him. B2 Chapter 11 - Frozen Darian pulled at the edges of his wool hood with frosted fingers, grimacing as the wind lashed at him with jagged, icy claws. They¡¯d spent the previous night huddled in a cave, Isaac and Krast greedy for the warmth Jorg¡¯s meager fire provided. Their vampiric blood offered some resistance to the cold, but even Darian¡¯s advanced protection was being tested by the elements. ¡°Perhaps we should turn back?¡± Jorg asked, his eyes scanning the patchwork of darkened clouds that hung overhead. ¡°This is but the first tooth of winter,¡± Krast said, nudging Isaac down the hill. ¡°If we stay much longer, she¡¯ll swallow us whole.¡± Darian watched Krast and Isaac as they marched forward, their shoulders slumped against the frigid mountain air. The boys could be mistaken for brothers, a mistake Darian had himself made upon meeting them. They shared the same short, dirty blonde hair and thick shoulders. They were also both tall, and prior to becoming vampires they shared the same green eyes. But Krast had a different aura about him¡ªa hint of barely contained ferocity. He out of all the vampires had the least control over his thirst. If the boy had stayed in the village, tragedy surely would have struck. But bringing him on the road was not any less dangerous. Their only reprieve would be the weather, since that would mean very few travelers. But they would inevitably run across civilization, and that is where Krast¡¯s true test would await. Darian had attempted to help the other vampires control their thirst, but there was only so much he could do in the week they spent together. He was lucky that Nathaniel, Aelen, and Jorg had proved to be resistant to their hunger. If they were anything like Krast¡­well, that didn¡¯t bear thinking about. ¡°Will we even be able to find the second cave in this weather?¡± Jorg asked, thick snow falling around him. ¡°Fria¡¯s instructions were clear,¡± Darian replied. ¡°We follow the road until we reach a fork, then we go left. The cave will be behind the burnt out remains of an old inn.¡± ¡°Shame the inn¡¯s gone,¡± Isaac said. ¡°I¡¯m not one for sleeping in dingy caves.¡± ¡°And I could use something to eat,¡± Krast said with a twisted smile. ¡°You¡¯ll just have to wait,¡± Darian said to the boy. He¡¯d had each of them fill up on cow¡¯s blood before they started their journey, and Darian had dominated a few rabbits for the boys to drain the previous night. Yet Krast still had a hungry gleam in his eyes. The road they traveled snaked down the mountainside. Yet the further they traveled down from the snowy peaks, the more ice-laced the air became. And with the snow falling harder and harder, visibility was poor. More than once Darian thought he heard or saw something stalking the forest, but each time it proved to be a figment of his overactive imagination. Still, he did his best to remain alert, for he could not shake a growing worry forming in his gut. Jorg, despite the thick fur he wore, shivered. ¡°How can you travel wearing that?¡± he asked, looking Darian up and down. Darian wore his wool cloak and fur undergarments, but despite the cold he still donned his chainmail shirt. The rings were ice cold, but he ignored the sensation. ¡°My frost resistance is much higher than yours. But I will admit, I am starting to regret not wearing anything warmer.¡± He did have a few thick blankets and other materials stuffed into his inventory, but he would only pull them out once they reached their destination. As the road turned from snow packed slush to the hardness of stone, Darian spotted a shape ahead. ¡°Stop,¡± he commanded, squinting through the haze. ¡°There¡¯s a covered wagon on the road.¡± ¡°A wagon?¡± Krast frowned as he approached Darian and Jorg. ¡°It¡¯s not the Justicars, is it?¡± ¡°No. Durance and his men would have turned off on that eastern road miles back,¡± Jorg replied, reaching beneath his cloak to pull out his mace. ¡°This belongs to someone else.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t see a fire,¡± Isaac added. ¡°They¡¯ll be mighty cold without one.¡± Then Darian smelled it. It was barely a whiff, a strand of crimson sweetness that somehow reached his nose through the roaring winds. ¡°Jorg, stay here with the boys. Something isn¡¯t right.¡± Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. Jorg nodded and then pulled the boys to crouch by the roadside. Krast tried arguing with the old Justicar, but he eventually relented. Once they were out of the way, Darian retrieved Sparkblade from his inventory and advanced. More wagons appeared through the snow, numbering three in total. And the closer Darian got, the harsher the scent of blood. It¡¯s not quite fresh, but not quite stale, either. Once he reached the first wagon, he put his back to it and listened. There came a gnashing from somewhere ahead, followed by the sound of tearing flesh. Darian did his best to listen closer, but the wagons rattled from the wind. He crouched and worked his way around, noting the dark shafted arrows that littered the ground. From skeleton archer, by the looks of them. He peered into the roadside trees. What are the undead doing out here? Then he turned the corner, ready to hack at any skeletons or zombies that stood in his way. But the creatures that squatted amidst the bodies were not what Darian had expected. The first looked up at him with a wide mouth filled with gore drenched teeth and eyes that blazed with golden fire. Its body was thin and small, almost like a goblin, but its skin was dark grey and covered in jutting scales. And atop its back was a set of wings, though they almost appeared to be made of stone. On the ground were three other creatures just like the first, and they fed on the frozen bodies of dead travelers. It screeched, its mouth opening impossibly wide. Then the two behind it leapt through the air, their jaws snapping at Darian¡¯s face. He backed away, startled by the small creatures¡¯ sudden speed and ferocity. But then he activated [Bulwark] and with the aid of [Determined Strike], split one of them in half. To Darian¡¯s surprise, the creature¡¯s body rolled on the ground and then evaporated into bright green mist. The remaining three did not take kindly to this, and the largest of them reared back, an orb of flame forming in its small, clawed hand. With a [Dash Strike] Darian brought his blade through the beast¡¯s neck, severing its head. But the others jumped at him from both sides, and he could not dodge them both. With his elbow, he caught one along the cheek, knocking it to the ground. But the other sank its tiny, razor-sharp teeth into Darian¡¯s leg. Grunting, he reached down and gripped the monster¡¯s head, his fingers melting into its skull from [Corrosive Touch]. It howled and rolled away, giving Darian time to spin and drive his sword through the other monster¡¯s chest. As it became mist, Darian turned his attention on the remaining beast. But it was gone. He could vaguely hear it scamper into the trees, but he made no attempt to follow it. There could be more of them hiding in the forest. He scanned the other wagons, the bodies, watching for signs of life. When no more creatures appeared, he relaxed, letting his eyes take in the carnage. Seven corpses lay in the middle of the wagons, a few of them belonging to children. Further off were the bodies of dead guards, black arrows jutting from them. But the dead before Darian had their throats cut, most likely executed by whoever attacked them. The remains of two skeleton warriors sat beside one of the wagons, their rusted armor collecting snow. The wagon doors rattled, and Darian peeked inside to find the wagon empty. ¡°Ransacked by the look of things,¡± Darian whispered to himself. He checked another wagon, finding little left behind. It seemed the undead, most likely led by a necromancer, had attacked and robbed the caravan. Why a necromancer would do such a thing but leave the bodies, Darian had little idea, but the thought of it sent a fire to his steps. When he opened the flap at the back of the last wagon, he took an involuntary step back. There was a man sitting at the other end, his knees up to his chest and his pale eyes wide open. It took Darian a second to realize the man was dead. But he had no wounds that Darian could see, meaning he most likely froze to death. ¡°A horrible way to die.¡± Darian closed the flap, looking once more at the devastation before he marched up the road. As he walked back to Jorg and the boys, he spotted some of the strange creatures¡¯ blood on the cobblestone road. But it did not smell like blood. In fact, it had no smell at all. ¡°What news?¡± Jorg asked, lowering his mace as he saw Darian approaching. ¡°The wagons belong to some kind of caravan, possibly a merchant family.¡± Darian paused, remembering the bodies of the children. ¡°They were attacked by undead. There are no survivors.¡± Jorg hung his head, then glanced at the boys behind him. ¡°Should we go around? The blood might be too much for them.¡± ¡°The bodies are frozen, and that includes the blood. Even my greatly enhanced perception could hardly smell it. And I can¡¯t be sure there aren¡¯t more of those creatures hiding in the woods.¡± ¡°Creatures?¡± Jorg frowned. ¡°What kind of creatures?¡± Darian explained the small monsters to Jorg the best he could, the old Justicar¡¯s face growing more grim with each detail. ¡°They sound like gremlins.¡± Jorg said. ¡°They are minor fey, but they should not be here. Not unless¡­¡± He gripped his mace tightly. ¡°We must move on from this place, and quickly.¡± Darian nodded his agreement. Gremlins? Fey? Darian didn¡¯t know much about the creatures, but if that is what Jorg thought they were, he had little reason to argue. But then he realized something. I never received XP for the battle being completed. Then he heard chittering in the shadows and spun, the road overcome by a sodden fog, the vague shape of a woman at its center. ¡°Gather behind me,¡± Jorg said to the boys, fear cracking his voice. ¡°The fey have come.¡± B2 Chapter 12 - The Winter Fey The greenish fog rolled across the road, the air taken by a deep and sudden chill. From within the swirling tide came the sound of claws upon stone, the ground awash with glowing eyes and razor-sharp teeth. Yet the true threat stalked from the middle of the pack, pausing as it drew closer. Ice touched air rolled off the woman¡¯s body as she regarded Darian with pale blue eyes. Her skin was milky and was split here and there by jutting ice crystals. Her hair, which fell in a braid over her shoulder, appeared to be made of orange autumn leaves that tussled in the breeze. ¡°Damnit,¡± Jorg mumbled, his gloved hand balled tightly around the handle of his mace. ¡°Whatever you do, don¡¯t look into its eyes.¡± Darian nodded at the paladin and drew into a fighting stance. But neither the gremlins nor the fey woman made a move. The two groups just stood staring at each other, Krast growing restless at Jorg¡¯s back. Then the woman spoke. ¡°Men of Lonelen,¡± it said, its voice as harsh as a winter storm. ¡°You have trespassed.¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t know this road was yours,¡± Krast half mumbled from behind. Her eyes drifted to him, and he shrunk back, his boots crunching on the hardpacked snow. ¡°What the boy says is true,¡± Darian said. ¡°We did not know this area belonged to you.¡± Jorg grunted. ¡°Don¡¯t try and reason with the fey.¡± He grimaced, painful memories flashing before his eyes. ¡°They can¡¯t be trusted not to stab you in the back the moment you turn around. No, our only way out is to cut her down.¡± Darian didn¡¯t exactly trust Jorg¡¯s judgment on these matters, but he¡¯d be lying if he didn¡¯t feel the Justicar was right. There was a sinister glare to the fey woman¡¯s eyes that told him there was nothing they could say to escape a fight. The woman laughed. ¡°Silly creatures. You come with your men of bone and your blades of iron. Always to kill, crush, and destroy. You may have taken our home, but,¡± She flicked her wrist and the gremlins advanced. ¡°You will trouble us no longer.¡± Darian summoned six of his wolves, the beasts swirling to life from clouds of grey mist. They charged the onslaught of Gremlins as Jorg called down a bolt of holy flame. A portion of the monsters were killed instantly, but more and more appeared, their teeth barred, claws greedy for blood. And as the two sides collided, Darian hurled a spear of flame at the Fey, his sword slicing a gremlin in half as he charged for their leader. Shards of ice materialized in the air around the fey, their crystal tips sharpened to a needle¡¯s point. Activating [Dash Strike], Darian burst forward just as the shards shot through the air. They whistled past his head, missing him by a hair¡¯s width. His sword arced down, but a wall of ice greeted his blade, the force of the impact nearly tearing the weapon from his grip. The fey smiled, the wall suddenly pushing forward, forcing Darian on the back foot. An orb of light appeared beneath the fey¡¯s feet, but she did not seem concerned. With her eyes still on Darian, the orb exploded in a blinding flash. The holy energy washed over Darian¡¯s cheeks, his skin tingling as if he was pressed too close to a furnace. But when the mist calmed, the fey was still standing, her body completely unharmed. Jorg cursed from behind, the gremlins pressing in on him. Needing to buy the paladin some space, Darian summoned not only his remaining wolves, but his two giant bats. He sent the wolves to assist Jorg in protecting Isaac and Krast while he rounded the ice wall, his teeth barred. He sent a command to his bats, instructing them to both target the fey with their sonic blast skill. But just as they hovered above her head, Darian¡¯s connection to the creature¡¯s was severed. They turned in the air, their eyes glowing a deep blue. And before Darian had time to consider what was happening, they opened their mouths, the air split suddenly by their screech. The sound crashed into Darian, his ears bursting with pain. He stumbled, a gremlin jumping from the mist to clamp onto his arm. The monster¡¯s teeth sunk into his flesh, but Darian hardly noticed. It was like his brain had suddenly been punched by a giant. Everything swirled, the sounds of battle and death fading in and out of his consciousness. More of the small creatures swarmed him, his thoughts collecting just enough to defend himself. Then one of the bats swallowed the sky above, and its fangs came down on Darian¡¯s shoulder. Piercing right through his chainmail shirt, the agony pulled him back to his senses. He activated [Biting Swarm] on the moon cast shadows along the roadside. The gremlins cried out as their strange blood began to flow, and Darian targeted them with [Crimson Daggers]. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. As the daggers materialized, Darian twisted, the bat still clamped onto his shoulder and a gremlin still latched onto his arm. Putting them between himself and the daggers, Darian sent two into the bat and one into the gremlin. The gremlin died instantly, but the bat relented, biting down harder. Activating [Dominate Animal] on it, Darian could feel his will and the fey¡¯s pressing against each other. As they battled mentally, Darian cut down gremlin after gremlin, but they continued to materialize from the mist. His wolves were still doing a good job helping Jorg stem the tide, and the Justicar was still hitting the fey with his holy spells. And while they didn¡¯t seem to be doing much damage, they did distract her. Darian wrested control of the bat, and it finally released him. He then turned and used [Dominate Animal] on the remaining bat. Snatching it back under his control, he directed them to assist Jorg. Since the wolves were still under Darian¡¯s control, he figured they had to be close to the fey in order for her to take them over. ¡°That was a first,¡± Darian said, hacking a gremlin¡¯s head from its shoulder. ¡°Let¡¯s make sure it doesn¡¯t happen again.¡± More ice shards appeared, but Darian used [Blood Mist] to block the fey¡¯s vision. Obscured, Darian dashed to the side, activating more [Blood Mist] as he circled. Then he charged through, blade held close and more crimson daggers at his side. When he cleared the mist, he sent his floating daggers ahead. The fey blocked them with another thick wall of ice, but that is what Darian wanted. He swiveled around it, his sword flashing out to catch her on the shoulder. She hissed, the flame enchanted blade melting into her ice-covered body. Darian pulled his sword back, then used [Arcane Blade] to add a corrosive edge to his next attack. Sacrificing 15% of his HP with [Blood Strike], he slammed the sword into her ribs. Roaring, he drove the blade deeper and deeper, the fey screeching. Then, with a horrid ripping and cracking, he cut her completely in half. The mist vanished in an instant, leaving a small horde of confused gremlins behind. But with their numbers dwindling, Jorg moved forward, his mace bashing the monsters to bits. Darian¡¯s remaining wolves joined with the slaughter, and within moments the road lay in an eerie silence. Looking down at the fey¡¯s crumpled body, Darian watched as it evaporated into blue mist.
Enemies Defeated [Gremlins Lv. 4] x17 [Winter Fey Lv. 12] Class XP Gained: 123 Progress to Class Lv. 11 (542/650)
Darian leaned down and pressed his fingers to a pool of the fey¡¯s blood. It was cold to the touch, but Darian still pressed his bloodied fingers to his tongue.
Winter fey blood consumed: + 8 Race XP. Progress to race Lv. 4 (31/150) Temporary Skill gained: [Ice Blast]
¡°We were lucky,¡± Jorg said as he approached. ¡°This one was weak.¡± ¡°Prior experience with them?¡± Darian asked. ¡°Aye. Fey like to worm their way into the minds of men. I once saw a whole regiment fall under a Spring fey¡¯s grasp. She had them all bite off their own tongues and start trying to sing. She laughed the whole time too, like it was all some kind of joke.¡± He pointed down at the pool of frosted blood. ¡°Fey don¡¯t die like the rest of us, though. They just reform after a while. Makes them see mortals as lesser beings. Toys.¡± He spat. Krast leaned down and stared at where the fey¡¯s body had vanished. He twirled a bloody knife in his hand, his lips shifting into a frown. ¡°Shame she didn¡¯t have the decency to stay put a while. Could use something to drink.¡± Isaac stood close to Krast, but he was eyeing Darian¡¯s summoned wolves and bats. ¡°They edible?¡± he asked. Darian shook his head. He tested it during his stay at the goblin village. While they bled, the blood itself held no flavor and did not quench Darian¡¯s thirst. ¡°Well, what now?¡± Krast asked, rising and stretching his back. ¡°We continue down the road.¡± Darian peered into the foggy distance. ¡°But we have to be extra careful. I doubt this fey was the only one.¡± ¡°A sad sign of these dark times,¡± Jorg said, shaking his head. ¡°The fey should never have been allowed to take root here. But with so many of the kingdom¡¯s forces battling the demons, I¡¯m afraid this will become the new norm.¡± ¡°And there were undead at the caravan,¡± Darian added. ¡°I fear we may be walking into more trouble.¡± Jorg laughed. ¡°Walking into trouble? I¡¯d say that¡¯s going to be the case no matter where we go.¡± He started down the road. ¡°But we¡¯re used to trouble, aren¡¯t we?¡± He turned and gave the boys a reassuring smile. ¡°Now let¡¯s keep going. And pray to Argus that¡¯s the last fey we see.¡± Darian followed the paladin, but he did not pray. Not that it would do them any good even if he did. He knew this was far from the last of their troubles. But he would keep his feelings to himself. With luck, he would be proven wrong. B2 Chapter 13 - A sound from the Darkness It had been two nights since their battle with the fey, and now the group sat atop a hill that overlooked a massive valley. Darian marveled at the sight, at the roaring river in the distance, its surface split by streams of starlight. And even further, nothing but a dot upon the horizon, rose a mighty city. Its white spires stabbed at the night sky as plumes of smoke rose from countless fires within. And the forest that dominated the mountains trailed away, replaced by endless fields of green. Roads split this emerald sea like a great web, and Darian spotted the hunched shapes of inns and taverns along the way. But there was one problem. ¡°Could be the fey again,¡± Jorg said, nodding at the desolate fortress down the hill. Darian had smelled the place before he saw it. Rot, blood, and battle. A smell that was so strong, even Jorg and the boys had caught wind of it. But the fortress lay dormant, its wooden gates sealed, its walls and battlements devoid of life. Darian could see into the central courtyard, but no bodies lay upon the ground. But the smell was unmistakable. ¡°What we plannin¡¯ to do?¡± Isaac asked, shuffling in beside Jorg. ¡°Go round?¡± ¡°That would be a sensible choice,¡± Darian said, squinting at the horizon. ¡°If the sun weren¡¯t so close to rising.¡± ¡°You want to take shelter in there?¡± Krast stabbed his finger at the lonely fort. ¡°Who knows what¡¯s hiding behind those walls.¡± ¡°Chicken?¡± Isaac mumbled, lightly punching Krast on the arm. ¡°Never,¡± the boy spat back, frowning. ¡°Just cautious.¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t appear we have much choice in the matter,¡± Jorg said. ¡°That last cave is too far behind us, and the buildings ahead are probably too far away. It¡¯s this, or we try our luck out in the forest.¡± ¡°I will scout it out.¡± Darian sniffed. ¡°Dawn is still a few hours away.¡± ¡°Keep an eye out for the fey,¡± Jorge said. ¡°And be mindful of their tricks.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go with you,¡± Krast cut in, grabbing the knife he kept tucked by his waist. Jorg laid a hand on the boy¡¯s shoulder, his grip tight. ¡°It¡¯d be best if you stayed here.¡± Krast started to argue, but a stern glare from Jorg silenced him. Darian drew Sparkblade from his inventory and started down the hill. ¡°Stay here until I return.¡± Krast huffed and pulled away from Jorg. ¡°And if you don¡¯t? What are we supposed to do then?¡± Darian paused and looked over his shoulder. ¡°Pray.¡± *** A dead wind blew down the mountain, the winter air accented by flakes of snow. The fortress gate lay ahead, the stench of blood thick behind the wooden colossus. Fria had told him that an outpost stood on the road into eastern Vizzera, but the juggernaut before him was not what he expected. It engulfed the skyline, a mountain of pointed oak and iron that stood in silent defiance of the night. But whatever the men of Lonelen feared, the high walls and thick gates had not kept it out. Darian circled the entrance, searching for a way inside. When none appeared, he rounded the fortress, his boots silent against the frosted ground. But the back gate was shut, and there were no holes or blemishes along the walls. Feeling a little frustrated, he glared down the road. There was a building some distance away. If they all broke into a sprint, they could probably make it before the sun rose. But Krast could be an issue, especially if he was desperate to escape the sun. ¡°What to do, what to do.¡± Darian began to pace, his mind racing. But then came the tapping. It came from somewhere within the fortress. The sound itself was soft at first, a metallic clang that echoed in the silence. Darian figured it was something being rattled by the wind, but it became too rhythmic, too deliberate. Someone is making that sound. Darian thought about calling out, but decided against it. Then he looked up at the wall. Too high to jump, but maybe I could climb it? He put Sparkblade away and activated his skill [Minor Transformation], turning his nails into sharp claws. Then he gripped one of the stakes that made up the outer wall of the fortress. Pressing with his considerable strength, he was able to force his claws into the wood. Jumping up, his boots thudded against the wall as he fought to retain his balance. But once he was secure, he started his slow ascent. Climbing was slow going. Darian¡¯s claws, while sharp, had extreme difficulty piercing the wood. In truth, it was his high strength and dexterity that saw him inch his way upwards. If it wasn¡¯t for the insane stat boosts his race levels had provided him, what he was doing would simply be impossible. When he reached the top of the wall, he waited, listening. The tapping had vanished, replaced by the low drone of winter wind. Peering over the pointed stakes, Darian could see no signs of movement. Then he undid his minor transformation and vaulted over, careful to fall softly on the wooden walkway. He drew his blade from his inventory and fell into a low crouch. The walkway ran along the entire outer wall, staircases splitting it here and there. Some went into the small courtyard below, while others led down into the bowls of stone buildings that dotted the inner perimeter. Creeping along, the tapping returned. Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. Still listening, Darian approached a set of stairs that led into one of the buildings. Standing there, he could tell the tapping came from within. But before he could enter, his ears filled with the sound of laughter. ¡°Odd looking thing,¡± one voice said, its pitch impossibly high. ¡°Flesh and blood, but it reeks of death,¡± came another, much deeper voice. Darian turned, his sword at the ready. But there was no one there. ¡°Quiet, Lallet,¡± the first voice said. ¡°It can hear you.¡± ¡°Nonsense,¡± the second voice huffed. ¡°Not even that Ranger could hear us, and we were mocking him to his face.¡± Darian did his best to follow the strange voices, but he couldn¡¯t quite make out where they were coming from. ¡°I can hear you,¡± he said, circling. ¡°What are you? What happened to this place?¡± ¡°See!¡± the first voice cried. ¡°Oh, shut it, Tellal,¡± the second voice said. ¡°Before you wake the dead.¡± Darian squinted, thinking his eyes were playing tricks on him at first. But hovering right above the stairs were two shapes, their forms obscured by some kind of skill. The only hint they were there was a slight strangeness to the air, a sort of shifting blotch against the stars. ¡°I will ask once more,¡± Darian said, pretending to still be searching for them. ¡°What are you and what happened here?¡± ¡°And why should we answer you?¡± the high-pitched one said. ¡°Honestly, we should probably leave before¡ª¡± Darian jumped up and snatched the small creature. It squawked and squealed, the air buzzing with magical energy. Then the obscuring aura around it disappeared, revealing a tiny woman wrapped in autumn leaves. A mop of curly, bright purple hair sat atop her head and a set of shimmering wings fluttered on her back. She beat at Darian¡¯s hand with her small fists, the blows landing harmlessly against his skin. ¡°Unhand me you brute!¡± she screamed. The other shape fully materialized, this one much the same, but her hair was raven black. ¡°Tellal!¡± she rammed into Darian¡¯s face, attempting to claw at his eyes. The sudden attack made Darian accidentally clench his fists, which nearly crushed the small woman in his hand. As she gasped, the black haired one named Lallet stopped attacking. ¡°No! Sister!¡± She flew backwards, her wings buzzing. ¡°Please, I¡¯ll answer your questions. Just don¡¯t kill her.¡± Darian looked down at the hunched figure in his palm. ¡°Oh,¡± he said, releasing some of the pressure. Tellal sucked in air, her leaf wrapped chest falling up and down in what looked like an exaggerated display of breathlessness. ¡°You nearly killed me, you, you¡­¡± she stared into Darian¡¯s eyes. ¡°You¡­whatever you are!¡± ¡°Well, you shouldn¡¯t¡­.¡± Darian couldn¡¯t quite think of a great reason he snatched her out of the air. ¡°Surprise people.¡± ¡°Most people can¡¯t see or hear us,¡± she replied. ¡°How could we know you¡¯d be different?¡± ¡°It¡¯s true!¡± her sister added. ¡°Not even that handsome ranger could hear us, and he had the ears of a cat.¡± ¡°Still,¡± Darian said. ¡°This fort was clearly attacked by something, and this forest is dangerous. You could have been a threat.¡± He looked down into the darkness at the base of the stairs. ¡°So, will you answer my questions now?¡± The sisters exchanged glances, the purple haired one taking the lead. ¡°We are fairies.¡± ¡°Obviously,¡± Lallet whispered. ¡°And this fort was attacked by some scary necromancers.¡± ¡°Necromancers?¡± Darian asked. He was rather tired of undead. ¡°Yeah. Oh, and some dwarves.¡± ¡°Yup. Lots of the little bearded bigots,¡± Lallet said. ¡°Necromancers and¡­dwarves?¡± That wasn¡¯t exactly a combination Darian had envisioned. ¡°They looked like mercenaries of some kind,¡± Lallet said. ¡°They dug a tunnel under the fort. The bone boys come up from it and murdered all the pretty men.¡¯ ¡°Including the ranger.¡± Tellal shoulders sunk. Darian slowly let the fairy out of his grip. She flew up to join her sister, the pair exchanging another set of glances. ¡°Thank you,¡± he said, bowing his head. ¡°And I apologize for snatching you out of the air. You can¡¯t be too careful around here.¡± Especially after that last fey tried to kill me. Then he nodded at the stairs. ¡°But I have something I need to check out. If you¡¯ll excuse me.¡± ¡°Wait, that¡¯s it?¡± Tellal said. ¡°You¡¯re not going to make a wish?¡± ¡°Or try and stuff us in a jar?¡± Lallet added. Darian was both amused and horrified at what they said. ¡°Why would I do those things?¡± ¡°He must have never heard of fairies,¡± Lallet said to her sister. ¡°That or we¡¯ve finally found a proper gentleman.¡± Tellal looked Darian up and down. ¡°A real gentleman wouldn¡¯t pluck a lady from the sky. But¡­¡± She gave him an odd expression. ¡°Since you are a little easy on the eyes, I¡¯ll let you know something.¡± She pointed down the stairs. ¡°That there is the fort¡¯s prison.¡± Lallet smiled. ¡°And it¡¯s where he is.¡± Tellal slapped her sister on the arm. ¡°Don¡¯t jump ahead of me, Lallet! I was getting there.¡± She cleared her throat. ¡°As I was saying, those stairs lead into the prison. There¡¯s a man down there, the only survivor of the attack. But he¡¯s dangerous.¡± ¡°And very handsome,¡± Lallet cut in. ¡°But dangerous. We¡¯ve been visiting him every day, and every day he makes the same wish.¡± ¡°To be free?¡± Darian asked. ¡°No. Nothing so simple,¡± Tellal said. ¡°He keeps wishing for someone to die.¡± Lallet laughed. ¡°Yeah, some poor guy named Oliver. Oliver Swink.¡± Darian¡¯s face must have grown grim, for the fairies both fluttered back from him. ¡°Was this Oliver person at the fort?¡± The fairies stared at him. ¡°Well?¡± ¡°He was part of the attack,¡± Tellal answered. ¡°He¡¯s the one who killed the ranger. And most of the guards, come to think of it.¡± ¡°But he let the man below live. Told him he could rot like the traitor he was.¡± ¡°They knew each other?¡± Darian made for the stairs. ¡°I think I need to have a conversation with this man.¡± ¡°Wait!¡± Lallet cried as Darian stepped into the darkness. ¡°The undead. They never left.¡± B2 Chapter 14 - The Prisoner ¡°What do you mean?¡± Darian asked, the wooden step creaking under his boot. Tellal fluttered closer, her tiny black eyes narrowing. ¡°Exactly what I said. The dead never left the fort.¡± Lallet nodded her agreement. ¡°They poured out from a hole in the ground, and most of them are still down there. Others are spread out around the fort, sleeping.¡± Darian grunted. He was tired of dealing with the undead. But if he had to fight them, at least it gave him an excuse to use [Grave Bane], one of the triumphs he¡¯d received after defeating Victoria. ¡°This hole,¡± he said. ¡°Where is it?¡± Lallet flew over his shoulder and pointed over the roof of the building. ¡°Over on the other side, near the gate into Lonelen. Right under the barracks.¡± ¡°We were watching the soldiers for a few days before the attack,¡± Tellal added. ¡°Stealing their socks, putting pins on their stools, that sort of thing. But then a few nights ago the floor in the barracks gave out and the dwarves and skeletons rushed in. When the dwarves and that tall human left, he instructed the undead to stay and guard the place.¡± Darian looked around, noting the distinct lack of any guards. ¡°Not doing the best job if that was their instructions.¡± He glared into the building. ¡°Either way, I need to clear this fort and see this prisoner. But thanks for the warning.¡± The sisters¡¯ wings buzzed as they flew away. ¡°Well, good luck, whatever you are,¡± Tellal said. ¡°Maybe we will grant you a wish if you survive.¡± ¡°Try not to die!¡± Lallet added. Darian gave them a thumbs up as he descended, the stench of death growing thicker with each step. The fairies exchanged a few words before they left for good, and Darian preemptively activated [Bulwark] as he reached the stair¡¯s end. Starlight flooded in from the far window, engulfing the overturned tables and chairs that littered the room. The wooden shutters tapped the wall, echoing against the stone. Darian inched forward, his boots stepping over old bloodstains. He listened, the scrape of iron sounding off somewhere outside. Rounding a table, Darian reached another set of stairs. They led to a door, its tattered shape attached to the wall by a single, bent hinge. He approached it slowly, the rattle of metal resounding in the room beyond. Peeking around the corner, Darian made out the shape of two rooms, iron bars along their front. And sitting against these bars, tucked into a corner, was the hunched shape of a man. His shackles clinked as he tapped his iron bound wrists against the wall. There were no undead in the room, but Darian could sense them somewhere nearby. He pressed himself against the wall, sneaking a glance at the door at the far end of the stairs. It was open, the thick iron scarred by what looked like four massive claws. The courtyard beyond was clear, but Darian could smell the blood hidden beneath the snow. And beyond that there was a hint of ash in the air, but the smell was distant, faint. Carried this way by the wind, perhaps? With the area clear, Darian strode forward. He kept his sword up as he walked, ready to activate his wolf summons or other skills if need be. The man didn¡¯t seem to notice Darian¡¯s approach. He just kept tapping the wall, his hooded head sagging onto his shoulder. Even when Darian stood right before him, the man did not stir. He just sat there, seemingly oblivious to everything except the metal around his wrists. ¡°You,¡± Darian said, tapping the tip of his sword against one of the cell¡¯s bars. ¡°I need to ask you something.¡± The man looked up, his expression blank. As he blinked at Darian, a strand of dirty blonde hair fell across his grimy face. He brushed it back, and Darian noted the man was missing two of his fingers. ¡°You¡¯re no fairy,¡± he said through cracked, pale lips, his voice dry. ¡°That I am not.¡± Darian squatted down, his face and the prisoner¡¯s level. This close, the stench of him was nearly unbearable. He was young, probably around how old Darian was before he died. His cheeks were sunken, and a nasty bruise worked its way across one side of his face. Yet despite how ragged he looked, his blue eyes held a sharpness that set Darian on edge. This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. ¡°Pity,¡± the man said, looking toward the stairs. ¡°They usually come by this time of night.¡± He leaned further against the wall and sighed. ¡°Gets rather lonely in here.¡± ¡°Sorry to disappoint you,¡± Darian said, slightly taken back at how casual the prisoner was being. ¡°But I have some questions for you.¡± The prisoner smiled flatly. ¡°Ask away, stranger. Though I wonder at the wisdom of it. But it¡¯s not like I have anything better to do in this charnel pit of a fort.¡± ¡°Who are you?¡± Darian asked. ¡°And more importantly, how do you know Oliver Swink?¡± The name sent a flush of red to the stranger¡¯s cheeks, and he sat up, his back straight. ¡°Oliver? You want to know about that blighted snake?¡± He gave Darian an odd expression, his brow upturned. ¡°Ah, I see. You one of his victims?¡± ¡°He killed one of my allies,¡± Darian replied. ¡°And I aim to take his head for it.¡± The stranger smiled. ¡°Lots of people have said the same thing, me included. But if Oliver is your enemy, I believe we might be able to help each other. Well, provided you can get me out of this cell.¡± ¡°I talked to those fairies you mentioned. They told me you wished for Oliver¡¯s death each night, not your freedom. Why the change of heart?¡± The young stranger huffed. ¡°Anyone who isn¡¯t a backwater fool knows fairies can¡¯t actually grant wishes. And I doubt they would have released me even if I asked for it. The fey are tricky like that. Knowing them, they would strangle me with roots and tell me I could be free in death. No, better to keep my mouth shut and let them think I¡¯m one of the fools.¡± Darian had his doubts about the fairies, but they didn¡¯t seem the type to kill someone just as a joke. But the stranger didn¡¯t appear to be lying, so Darian rose to his feet and gave the iron bars a tug. ¡°I¡¯m afraid they¡¯re rather solid,¡± the prisoner said. ¡°If they didn¡¯t have these damned binds on me, I could conjure up a bone golem and be done with them.¡± He raised his hands, and Darian noticed the metal binding his wrists wasn¡¯t steel or iron, but something else, the material pitch black. ¡°What is that?¡± Darian asked. ¡°Shackles made from null ore,¡± the man answered, tapping the metal against the wall. ¡°Keeps you from activating any magic. I¡¯ve been trying to break them the past few days, but my efforts have been in vain.¡± ¡°Any way to get it off, then?¡± He smirked. ¡°There should be a key. But the warden¡ªa fantastic fellow by the way¡ªwas gutted right where you¡¯re standing.¡± He inhaled, his smile widening. ¡°Ah, what a glorious sight that was.¡± Darian paused. ¡°What exactly were you doing imprisoned here? Who are you, exactly?¡± The man grunted, his legs shaking as he wobbled to his feet, his hands gripping the bars for support. ¡°Now those are questions that can wait until I¡¯m out of this frozen box.¡± Darian backed away. ¡°Or I could just leave you in there if you don¡¯t answer me.¡± The stranger chuckled. ¡°But you won¡¯t, will you? You¡¯ve not got the stones for that, I can tell. You have that naive gleam in your eye like some freshly blessed paladin. No, I¡¯ll stay here while you and that enchanted blade work on the bars. Once I¡¯m out, I¡¯ll answer all your questions. Especially any that lead to Oliver losing his head. That¡¯s fair, right?¡± Even though what the guy said pissed Darian off, he wasn¡¯t entirely wrong. He might be able to force the information out of him, but even if he wanted to do that, it would have to wait until he cleared the fort. Jorg and the boys still needed a place to shelter from the sun. That was the main reason he¡¯d come to investigate in the first place. ¡°Where can I find the warden? I take it he¡¯s become an undead?¡± ¡°Oh no he was eaten.¡± The stranger leaned against the wall. ¡°Key¡¯s probably in the gullet of the Nightmare right now.¡± Darian was about to ask what that was when he heard the familiar rattle of bone out in the courtyard. Gripping Sparkblade tightly, he made for the door. ¡°I¡¯ll be back,¡± he said over his shoulder, his body full of grim resolve. ¡°And what are you trying to do?¡± the stranger called from behind. ¡°There¡¯s a small army of them out there. You plan on fighting them all alone? That¡¯s suicide.¡± He rattled his chains. ¡°I¡¯m sure you and that enchanted blade could get me out of here just fine. There¡¯s no need to throw your life away out there.¡± Darian paused as he reached the door. ¡°I¡¯ll be fine. You just be ready to answer my questions when I come back.¡± The stranger almost laughed, but then he settled back onto the ground. ¡°You¡¯re crazy, you know that? But be my guest. Hopefully some other fool wanders in here after they¡¯re done eating your corpse.¡± He sighed. ¡°Might have to make a wish to a fairy after all.¡± Darian ignored him and stepped outside, fresh snow falling to coat the ground. And wandering in from the other end of the courtyard was a horde of skeleton warriors, their blazing eyes all focused on Darian. ¡°We meet again, my old enemies,¡± he said. ¡°Now let¡¯s make this quick, shall we? I have important business to attend to.¡± He set his stance and waited, poised to strike the first undead foolish enough to approach. B2 Chapter 15 - Nightmare Dozens of skeleton warriors filled the courtyard, their armor speckled with snow as they moved into a loose formation. And as Darian waited for them to gather, he could hear the shuffle of boots in the other buildings, the sound punctuated by the thump and groan of marching zombies. But Darian made no move as the dead surrounded him. The more of them that got close, the better. After killing Victoria, Darian had obtained the Triumph [Grave Bane]. It gave him a small passive increase in the damage he dealt to the undead, but its true power lay in the skill that came with it.
Grave Bane This skill sends out a shock wave of anti-necromantic energy. Any undead caught in the blast will take severe amounts of damage. This damage is tripled if the undead are half of the skill user¡¯s level or lower. Undead destroyed by this skill will be reduced to ash.
Since he could only use the skill once during the battle, he was going to make sure he made it count. And by the looks of things, I won¡¯t have to wait long. There were dozens of them now, the horde so crammed together there was hardly any room between them. And as they stared at Darian, the zombies shuffled in from between the ranks of warriors, some of them wearing the armor of Justicars. And from the fringes by the wall, Darian could see archers, their black arrows ready to fly. ¡°Well,¡± Darian said. ¡°What are you waiting for?¡± Some unheard signal passed between them, and the undead marched forward. Darian stayed rooted where he was, ready to receive them. There were more in the building at the other end of the courtyard, probably coming from that hole the fairies talked about. But Darian would deal with them after he culled those who dared approach him. The first zombie lost its head in a dazzling spray of blood, Darian¡¯s blade whipping through the air to take another¡¯s arm off. Then he split it in half at the waist, Sparkblade leaving a red trail in the air as he spun to deflect a whistling arrow. Ducking a zombies¡¯ swipe, his electrified blade took out a leg, then his fist came up, crunching into a skeleton¡¯s head so hard its skull split open. More pressed in on all sides, Darian¡¯s blade carving a red ruin through the advancing horde. But then a blade slipped past his guard, the tip scratching down his shirt, his chainmail holding firm. A zombie gripped his wrist next, its mouth snapping at his arm. He jerked free of it and drove his sword through its open mouth. Twisting it free, he used its blood to send daggers into the archers along the wall. Reactivating his defensive skill [Bulwark] Darian took a sword on the shoulder, the edge biting through his armor. Though an undead fell with each swing of his blade, the courtyard continued to fill with them. He wasn¡¯t kidding about there being a small army. Darian kicked, a zombie¡¯s rotting chest caving in from the strike. Just a little longer and I can use it. He became a whirlwind, blocking and slashing, parrying and thrusting. The ground filled with the bodies of his enemies, forming a carpet over which their brethren marched. And Darian gave himself to the rhythm of battle, his blade becoming a crimson brush from which he painted a scene of destruction. But there were simply too many of them. Grunting as a shield rammed into his back, Darian spun and gripped the skeleton¡¯s arm. Electrifying it with [Shocking Grasp] and finishing it with a thudding strike to the skull, he decided it was time. Ducking low, he activated [Grave Bane]. A wave of crackling, white energy spread from his body like a tidal wave. It crashed into the undead, sending them spiraling back as their bodies disintegrated. Their weapons and armor fell to the ground amidst heaps of ash, the once full courtyard now plummeted into near silence. The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. The archers along the wall still stood, a small clutch of warriors and zombies still between them and Darian. But he summoned six of his wolves and advanced, making quick work of those that remained. Then he stood and looked up at the sky, ash thrown into the air by his skill falling around him. Standing amidst the ash, he heard the scrape of iron coming from the barracks. Turning back for the prison, he sent his wolves to kill whatever was left inside. He rolled his sore shoulders as he walked, but he smiled. He¡¯d managed to get through the fight without taking any serious damage. Now to get some answers. But then he stopped, frozen still as his connection to the wolves was cut loose in an instant. He spun, nearly slipping on the blood slick snow. Coming through the entrance of the barracks was a beast Darian had never seen. It crawled on all fours, its sickly and tight skin milk pale, marked here and there by signs of rot. Darian thought it was possibly human at first, but its arms and legs were wrong, elongated, the bones within stretching through its skin. And along its protruding spine ran a series of bloody nails, their tips glowing from arcane runes. Its face was sunken, the skin pulled tight around a smiling mouth filled with needle-like teeth. But Darian¡¯s eyes were drawn to its fleshless hands where claws of bone stabbed out from where its fingers should have been. The Nightmare. It drug along the corpse of one of Darian¡¯s wolves, snarling as the summon¡¯s body evaporated into smoke. ¡°Hungry,¡± it moaned, the sound full of pain. ¡°Hungry.¡± It¡¯s pale, dead eyes snapped onto Darian and its smile widened. ¡°Food.¡± It shot forward, its clawed hands tearing at the earth as it scrambled across the ground. Darian summoned his last three wolves and his bats as he fell back into a defensive stance. But with a single swipe of its claws, Darian¡¯s wolves were reduced to red mist. His bats screeched, distracting the Nightmare long enough for Darian to collect his thoughts. Using the blood from his wolves, Darian created a blood shield. Then he ran forward, hurling a flame spear as he advanced. But before the fire could reach the Nightmare, the nails on its back flashed, glowing like coals in an open flame. The Nightmare screamed in agony, the flesh around the nails sizzling. But the spear sputtered out of existence, the nails somehow canceling the magic. Then its eyes snapped back to Darian, and it burst forward with more speed than Darian had ever seen. Bringing his blade up on instinct, the creature¡¯s claws slammed into the steel, sending Darian rolling across the ground. ¡°Hurt,¡± the beast bellowed as it leapt through the air. ¡°Pain.¡± Something like a hot iron pierced Darian¡¯s mind, sending a wave of agony throughout his entire body. He tried to roll away, but he was too slow. The Nightmare¡¯s claws came down and dug into Darian¡¯s shoulder. Blood oozed from the wound as the Nightmare opened its smiling jaws, dozens of voices screaming in agony from somewhere within it. Darian felt his whole body turn grey, and no matter how hard he tried, he could not lift his sword. It was like all his emotions, his drive, his desire to live, were being sucked out of him. Then golden light lifted from his chest, flowing into the Nightmare¡¯s throat. As the golden strands left him, Darian¡¯s mind began to slip into oblivion. But then the golden light flashed a brilliant white, and the Nightmare fell back, its claws leaving a huge gash in Darian¡¯s shoulder. As it writhed on the ground, the golden energy returned to Darian¡¯s chest, and his will to fight along with it. He shot to his feet, teeth barred. Sending a signal to his bats to attack, Darian activated [Dash Strike], not giving the monster time to recover. It looked up, tears in its eyes, and the nails upon its back burned bright orange. The wave of pain that hit Darian was nearly unbearable, but he was ready for it this time. The Nightmare brought its left arm up, and Darian¡¯s sword severed its hand at the wrist. Then he used [Biting Swarm] on the beast. He pulled around the blood shield he¡¯d created earlier and used it to block the Nightmare¡¯s counterattack. Then, using its own blood, he formed three crimson daggers that he shot into its ribs. It howled and rolled away, but as it rose, one of Darian¡¯s giant bats sunk its teeth into its shoulder. His other bat swooped down on the left, but the Nightmare swatted it form the sky using the nub where its left hand used to be. Even weakened, the monster¡¯s strength was incredible, crushing the bats head with only a single strike. But with the other bat still on it, Darian readied the killing blow. Using [Determined Strike], [Arcane Blade] and finally 10% of his HP for [Blood Strike], Darian burst forward. The nails once more lit up, and another wave of agony hit Darian¡¯s body, putting him slightly off balance. Still stumbling forward, the Nightmare reached up and dug its claws into Darian¡¯s bat. Then it tore them free, ripping the bat in half, its blood raining down on the monster¡¯s smiling face. It jumped back, noticing the threat Darian¡¯s blade now possessed. Fighting through the pain, Darian watched as a shard of bone burst from the Nightmare¡¯s severed wrist. It dug the spear like appendage into the ground, the nails finally ceasing to glow. Then it and Darian circled each other, knowing whoever was to land the next blow would be the victor. B2 Chapter 16 - Painted Red Darian and the Nightmare continued to circle, each looking for an opening to attack. Darian¡¯s blade was still wreathed in magic, and the edges shone bright red from [Blood Strike]. A direct hit would be enough to end the Nightmare for good, but Darian needed to be cautious. His shoulder was torn open, and blood ran down his arm to drip upon the ground. One wrong move, one mistake, and his life could be over. He placed his hovering blood shield between him and the beast. With one of its hands severed and replaced by a spear of bone, he didn¡¯t figure it could attack as quickly as last time. Still, its speed had been blinding. But with the shield between them he at least had something he could block with using his thoughts alone. The nails along the monster¡¯s back began to glow bright orange, letting Darian know an attack was imminent. He stopped circling and fell into a low stance. Since the creature crawled upon the ground, getting a good angle to block or attack was difficult. But if he lowered himself enough, he would have an easier time dealing with it. Though there was a problem. The skills he used to enhance his next attack would trigger when he swung his sword at something. Meaning, if he blocked the creature¡¯s claws with his blade, the enhanced attack could apply then, not when Darian needed it. He could reactive the offensive skills, but that could take time he didn¡¯t have. With his blood slowly leaking, he was losing strength by the second. He needed a decisive blow, or he risked being overwhelmed. Pain needled into Darian¡¯s brain, and despite himself, he winced under the pressure, his stance faltering. The Nightmare seized this opportunity, its powerful back legs catapulting it though the air like a fanged missile. But it was slower than last time, and through the haze in his mind, Darian¡¯s thoughts tugged at his blood shield. He brought it up with haste, the shield colliding with the monster¡¯s claws. But the shield did not hold. It shattered under the blow, splinters of crystalline blood raining down like pointed drops of rain. Darian twisted, the beast¡¯s claw just missing him. If his shield had not knocked it off track, Darian¡¯s body would have been carved clean through. He stumbled, his limbs racked by waves of stabbing agony. Biting down, he cried out as he drove his sword through the air, snow melting around the blade. It collided with the Nightmares shoulder, splitting its pale flesh like a cleaver. Pained screaming escaped its toothy maw, the nails in its spine burning brighter. Fresh pain assaulted Darian, but he kept pushing, steaming blood bubbling around his sword. The nightmare attempted to pull away, but with a final twist of his hips, Darian cut the beast from its shoulder down to its ribs. The monster fell backwards, its shoulder and arm flopping down to the snow, painting it red. Darian stepped over the hunk of meat and his fangs emerged, teased out by the scent of fresh blood. The nightmare scooted away, its horrid face still parted by a smile. It raised its clawed hand, its eyes almost pleading, begging for Darian to stop. He did not. Its head rolled across the ground, blood spurting from the stump left behind. Darian crouched and sank his fangs into the creature¡¯s flesh, warmth spreading down his throat. As he drank, the wound in his shoulder healed. Enemies Defeated [Skeleton Lv. 2-4] x58 [Nightmare Lv. 18] XP Gained: 423 Class Level 11 Reached ¨C Congratulations! Progress to Class Level 12 (192/850) Blood Consumed: Minor Abomination Race XP Gained: 10 Progress to Race Level 4: 41/150 Temporary Skill Gained: [Rebound Pain] Darian stood and wiped the blood from his chin. Then he touched a pool of the creature¡¯s blood, his mind mentally connecting with the Blood Vial in his inventory. Using this connection, he stored some for later use. With the nightmare defeated, the courtyard had fallen into an all-consuming silence. Snow still fell, but now it rested atop ashes, bones, and blades. Darian stood and listened for a moment, his ears picking up no further signs of the undead. With the area clear, he walked over to a nearby wall and leaned against the cold stone for support. The blood had healed his shoulder some, but it still throbbed. The rest of him was covered in small bruises and scratches, but he got out of the battle much better off than he¡¯d expected. The sun would be up before too long, but Darian already knew where he was going to put his next class level. He opened the menu and selected [Blood Squire]. With two more levels, he would unlock the advanced class [Blood Knight]. He would consider using his Divine Essence to reset his class points after that. By doing so, he could put some of his class levels right into the new class without waiting to level up further. And with how dangerous things were getting, he figured something like an advanced class could be useful.
Blood Squire Lv. 3 Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.
Minor Rally Uses 5 (Daily) Range: 30 Feet
All the more reason to reach level five in the class. Darian looked at the crimson snow near the barracks. His summons had died easily to the Nightmare, but perhaps with his new skill, they could have lasted at least a little longer. Still, this new skill will be great in the next large battle I find myself in. He thought about how [Minor Rally] could stack with Zan¡¯s buffing howl, then his shoulders sagged when he remembered the wolf and Fria were now far away from him. With his class level now allotted, Darian returned to the prison. Despite the pain he was in, he made sure to stand tall and proud as he strode to the prisoner¡¯s cell. ¡°You¡¯re,¡± the man looked Darian up and down, shock painting his face. ¡°Alive? How?¡± ¡°I told you I would be back,¡± Darian said, stepping closer to the bars. ¡°Now answer my previous question. Who are you, and why were you imprisoned here?¡± The prisoner sighed. ¡°Not this again.¡± He tapped his bound wrists to the wall. ¡°Like I already said, you get me out of these chains, and I¡¯ll tell you everything you want to know.¡± The man was clearly a necromancer. Even if he hadn¡¯t made his previous comment about summoning a ¡°Bone golem¡±, the stench of death around him was unmistakable. And while Darian didn¡¯t really care if someone was a necromancer, the stranger could be a member of the lich cult. If that was the case, he could be a potential enemy. ¡°I don¡¯t trust you,¡± Darian said, stepping away. ¡°So you¡¯re going to sit in there for a little while longer.¡± The stranger smirked. ¡°Maybe I was wrong about you.¡± He looked into Darian¡¯s eyes. ¡°Behind that boyish naivety is a killer, I can see that now. But you¡¯ll come around eventually.¡± Darian smiled. ¡°I doubt that.¡± He walked back to the courtyard, one person on his mind. Jorg He wasn¡¯t sure how Jorg¡¯s skill [Memory Delve] worked, but he figured it might be useful in this situation. Even if it only offered them a little insight into the stranger, anything was better than nothing. Either way, I won¡¯t be releasing him until he proves not to be a threat to us. Creating vampires had been a hasty and potentially catastrophic decision. But with the threat of the plague, Darian had felt pressured to use his power to save the infected. But he had time now, and he would not be releasing a potential threat back into the world blindly. Two shapes fluttered near the gate, their tiny black eyes wide in shock. ¡°He really killed it,¡± Lallet said, staring at the torn and bloody body of the nightmare. ¡°He was tougher than he looks,¡± Tellal added. ¡°We¡¯re lucky he didn¡¯t decide to do that to us.¡± ¡°I thought you two had left?¡± Darian asked, pausing as he reached the fey sisters. They both jumped, their wings buzzing. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t scare us like that!¡± Tellal crossed her small arms over her chest. ¡°And we had to stay and watch.¡± ¡°We thought you would die for sure,¡± Lallet said. ¡°We watched you from the walls. You¡¯re far more powerful than you look.¡± ¡°Yeah. You¡¯re even stronger than that witch of a winter fey, Rena.¡± Darian cocked his head to the side. ¡°Winter fey?¡± He pointed at the gate. ¡°She wouldn¡¯t happen to be down the road, would she?¡± The sisters exchanged glances. ¡°She is.¡± ¡°Oh,¡± Darian said with a shrug. ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure I killed her.¡± Their faces grew slack. Then Tellal fluttered closer, her eyes narrowed. ¡°You really are strong then. That woman nearly killed us when we arrived.¡± Lallet shivered. ¡°She said she¡¯d freeze our wings off if we bothered her again.¡± Darian moved beneath them to the gate, his hands gripping the wooden beam that kept it shut. ¡°Well,¡± he said, pulling the beam free. ¡°She¡¯s gone. You two shouldn¡¯t have to worry about her anymore.¡± The air around Darian¡¯s head began to glow bright purple as the fairies descended, one on each side of him. They smiled, then planted a kiss on his cheek simultaneously.
You have gained the Triumph ¨C [Fey Blessed]
Darian, a little embarrassed, finished removing the beam from the door. ¡°What was that for?¡± he asked. ¡°A little bit of fey magic, for your help,¡± Tellal said. ¡°Didn¡¯t realize I was helping,¡± Darian said, placing his palms on the door. ¡°It¡¯s been hard going since our exile.¡± Lallet hovered by Darian¡¯s right ear. ¡°But you reminded us that sometimes, justice is served.¡± ¡°Justice?¡± Darian pushed, the massive door groaning as it opened. ¡°It was simply self-defense. She attacked first.¡± ¡°She was a bit crazed,¡± Tellal said. ¡°But you still removed a thorn from our rose, and we are thankful for it.¡± The gate opened, cold wind pushing through the gap. And through the snow, Darian made out the shapes of Jorg and the others still perched atop the distant hill. ¡°Are you still planning on going after this Oliver fellow?¡± Tellal asked. ¡°I am.¡± Darian squinted, the air harsh and fridge, even for him. ¡°He and I have unfinished business.¡± ¡°Well, with how you fight, I certainly wouldn¡¯t want to be your enemy.¡± Darian strode for the others, his temper rising as he thought of Oliver and his cowardly escape. But he would find him and kill him. He just had to deal with the prisoner first. Then he could finally have his vengeance. Enjoy your next few days, Oliver. They will be your last. B2 Chapter 17 - Answers Jorg was the first to enter the fort, Isaac and Krast not far behind him. Darian came next, his eyes picking out the two glowing shapes of the fairy sisters along the outer wall. It seemed they decided to stick around. Just hope Jorg doesn¡¯t have a fit when he sees them. ¡°By Argus,¡± the Justicar mumbled, the boys stopping to marvel at the destruction. ¡°You¡¯re some kind of monster,¡± Isaac said, staring at the piles of ash and bone. Krast smiled at the scene, his nose twitching at the scent of blood. ¡°Could we do this?¡± He turned, a gleam in his eyes. ¡°Can we become as strong as you?¡± ¡°Maybe,¡± Darian replied. ¡°But only if you can get your thirst under control.¡± Krast shook his head and frowned. ¡°Thirst this and thirst that. We¡¯re not human anymore, in case you didn¡¯t notice.¡± ¡°Quit talking like that,¡± Jorg half growled. ¡°It¡¯s true.¡± Krast nudged a skeleton¡¯s ribcage with his boot, the bones rattling. ¡°Like Isaac said, Darian¡¯s some kind of monster. Doesn¡¯t that make us monsters too?¡± Jorg¡¯s face grew conflicted, and he stared back through the open gate, his mind lost in thought. But then he shook the chill from his bones and marched to Darian¡¯s side. ¡°You said there was a prisoner?¡± he asked, eager to have a change in subject. ¡°He¡¯s right over there.¡± Darian pointed over Jorg¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Locked up with null ore chains on his wrists.¡± ¡°And he knows what happened here?¡± Darian nodded. ¡°And he knows where Oliver Swink is.¡± His fangs emerged as he thought about ripping Oliver¡¯s throat out. ¡°And he¡¯s the one he killed that alchemist fellow?¡± Jorg strode to the prison, Darian falling in behind him. ¡°Gustan,¡± Darian corrected. ¡°The man¡¯s name was Gustan. And yes, Oliver killed him. Drove a sword right through his throat.¡± Jorg stopped as he reached the clawed iron door of the building and turned to the boys who had started following him. ¡°You boys search the buildings for a place to rest. We¡¯ll join you soon.¡± He looked over the top of the wall, searching for signs of the sun¡¯s light. ¡°Do as he says,¡± Darian commanded. ¡°We haven¡¯t much time.¡± They both groaned, Krast in particular. But they did as they were told. ¡°Let¡¯s hope they don¡¯t pick somewhere with a hole in the roof.¡± ¡°Even they aren¡¯t that foolish,¡± Darian said. ¡°Now, about what I asked you earlier.¡± Jorg¡¯s shoulders sagged. ¡°I don¡¯t like using it. But I will if it¡¯s what we need.¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t seem to mind using memory delve on me back at the cave,¡± Darian reminded. ¡°That was different,¡± Jorg spat back. ¡°With my comrades slain, I was paranoid. I should never have¡­¡± Darian gripped the man¡¯s shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s fine. The past is the past. But why such apprehension to use one of your skills?¡± Jorg pulled away. ¡°I was not always a paladin of Argus.¡± He grimaced as he recalled an old memory. ¡°I spent my youth hopping from one city to another as a pickpocket and thief. Sometimes even a hired thug. It was then I started training as a rogue. But a knight of Argus saved me from that path. The skills I learned back then are tainted with the blood of the innocent and I do not use them lightly.¡± ¡°Well,¡± Darian said. ¡°As I said. The past is the past. And if those rogue skills of yours can help in the present, then why not use them? Oliver is an evil man, and if he is up to something around here, you can bet innocent people are going to be hurt.¡± Jorg looked into Darian¡¯s eyes, doubt swirling in his mind. But then the big man sighed and moved past Darian into the prison. ¡°There is wisdom in your words. I just hope this is truly what Argus wanted from me.¡± ¡°What Argus wanted from you?¡± Darian smiled. ¡°You make it sound like you had a chat with the god himself.¡± This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Jorg did not reply. They found the prisoner slumped in the same corner as Darian first found him. He watched them with keen eyes, a hint of worry decorating his face for the first time since Darian had met him. ¡°And what¡¯s this?¡± the prisoner asked. ¡°You brought a friend to see me? How¡­delightful.¡± ¡°I told you, I¡¯m not letting you out until I have some answers.¡± Jorg paused and shook the prison cell¡¯s bars. ¡°Do you have a key? I¡¯ll need inside to do my work.¡± ¡°Never found one. But it might still be out there somewhere.¡± Jorg went from bar to bar thumping them with his meaty fist, pausing to listen to the sound. Then he pointed at three bars on the right side of the cell. ¡°Its weak there. A few skill infused strikes should topple them.¡± He loosened his mace from his belt. Darian looked down at the prisoner, noting the man had somehow grown paler. ¡°What are you planning on doing once you¡¯re inside?¡± he stood, his weak legs shaking. ¡°Torture the information out of me? I¡¯ll have you know; I¡¯m quite pain resistant.¡± ¡°Nothing so barbaric,¡± Jorg said, motioning for Darian to back away. ¡°I¡¯m just going to crawl around in your skull a bit.¡± His mace split the darkness, the head bursting with bright, golden light. Then he roared, his mace colliding with the iron bars of the cell. They buckled and bent under the strike, and with only two more blows they tore free of the wall, bits of stone falling down from the ceiling where they had been anchored. Jorg cleared a few more out of the way, giving he and Darian enough room to enter the prisoner¡¯s cell. The man backed away, his chains clinking as he raised his open palms. ¡°Okay, maybe I can tell you a little bit. There¡¯s no need for any skull crawling.¡± ¡°Then where is Oliver, and what is your connection to him?¡± Darian asked as Jorg laid his mace against the wall. ¡°Oliver and I, we used to run in the same group.¡± The prisoner winced as if someone were scolding him. ¡°And what kind of group was it?¡± ¡°I¡¯d rather not say.¡± Jorg stepped closer, his bulk looming over the prisoner. ¡°One last chance to talk,¡± Darian said. ¡°What kind of group was it?¡± The prisoner did not reply. ¡°Hold him still,¡± Jorg said. ¡°I¡¯ll need to concentrate.¡± The man swung his chained fists at Darian, but he easily dodged the blow. Then he grabbed the man by the shoulders and slammed him into the wall. Pinning him there, Jorg placed his palms on the man¡¯s head. There was a slight blue glow beneath Jorg¡¯s hands, and the man squirmed beneath it. ¡°Bastard must have been up to some dark deeds,¡± Jorg said, his eyes closed. ¡°His memories are protected. Shrouded in arcane fog.¡± ¡°Will memory delve not work?¡± ¡°Oh, it will work, but it won¡¯t be pretty,¡± Jorg replied, pressing harder. The prisoner did his best to squirm away, but Darian¡¯s strength was absolute. And starved and near frozen as he was, the prisoner eventually stopped resisting. Around ten minutes passed before Jorg pulled away. ¡°I must say, this vampiric body has its uses.¡± Jorg clenched his fists. ¡°I would have been too tired to speak if I attempted a delve that long in my old body. But I don¡¯t feel even the slightest bit of fatigue.¡± Darian let the prisoner go. He slid down the wall, sweat dripping from his chin. ¡°What did you see?¡± Jorg looked down at the prisoner and crossed his arms over his chest. ¡°It was hard going, but I found out a few useful bits of information.¡± ¡°Damned¡­mongrel¡­¡± the prisoner huffed between ragged breaths. ¡°His name is Alistair,¡± Jorg said with a self-satisfied smile. ¡°He¡¯s a necromancer and a powerful one from what I saw. But he and Oliver are no friends. They used to be part of some kind of spy network from what I could tell, but they had a bloody falling out. But right now, Alistair here is a member of the lich cult and was imprisoned for grave robbing in a nearby Vizzeran town.¡± Alistair grinned. ¡°You¡¯re mostly right,¡± he said. ¡°But you¡¯re missing a few details.¡± ¡°Then enlighten us,¡± Darian said. ¡°Or else Jorg will have another go at you.¡± Alistair sat up and wiped the sweat from his face with a dirty sleeve. ¡°I¡¯m not a member of the lich cult. Not anymore. They kicked me out a few months back.¡± ¡°And why would they do that?¡¯ Jorg asked. ¡°Seems like they would kill to have someone with your skills onboard.¡± Alistair shrugged. ¡°Arch lich Calhaven has gone a bit mad since the Justicars purged our hideouts. He¡¯s made plans to bring Lonelen to its knees. I didn¡¯t agree with all the slaughter that was about to take place, so they banished me. He even sent someone to kill me after I left.¡± ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t he just kill you before you left? Why bother banishing you?¡± Darian asked. ¡°The cult likes to pretend it¡¯s a brotherhood of outcasts. Do what you¡¯re told, protect ¡®the family¡¯ and one day you can become an eternal lich, just like the ¡®master.¡¯ But it¡¯s a load of horseshit.¡± He chuckled, the sound dry. ¡°Killing me for disagreeing wouldn¡¯t have gone over well with the newer members, and they need people right now. They¡¯re gearing up for an invasion as we speak.¡± ¡°An invasion?¡± Jorg frowned. ¡°Of Lonelen?¡± Alistair shrugged. ¡°That would be my guess, but they¡¯ve had¡­strange visitors lately. Fey from beyond Vizzera¡¯s northern border.¡± ¡°We encountered fey on the road here,¡± Jorg said. ¡°Do you know why they¡¯ve come this far south?¡± ¡°War,¡± Alistair said. ¡°They¡¯ve come for war.¡± B2 Chapter 18 - Tension ¡°War?¡± Darian exclaimed. ¡°War with who?¡± ¡°Everyone,¡± Alistair said with a grin. ¡°But I think they plan on starting with Lonelen.¡± Jorg¡¯s hands balled into fists. ¡°Treacherous filth.¡± He glared at the prisoner. ¡°The fey have been fighting us for years, but they¡¯ve never launched an all-out war. Why would they do so now?¡± Alistair shrugged. ¡°With how many of them have been around, you won¡¯t have to wait long to ask a fey yourself. In fact,¡± he looked between Jorg and Darian and into the courtyard. ¡°There were a pair of fairies hanging around here. Snatch one of them and I¡¯m sure they can explain the situation.¡± Jorg went to start asking more questions, but Darian gripped his arm. ¡°More talking will have to wait.¡± He nodded at the door. ¡°Sun is about to show itself. Let¡¯s go.¡± Darian peered at the man¡¯s chains. They were latched to floor by a thick iron ring that stuck up from the center of the cell. Even with the bars destroyed, Alistair was going nowhere. Jorg grunted and then huffed his way out of the room, snatching his mace up as he went. Darian stood there a moment and watched the prisoner. There was a knowing look in his eyes as he watched the old Justicar leave. It sent a slight edge to Darian¡¯s senses, though he could not tell why. ¡°You keep curious company,¡± Alistar said, rubbing his temples. ¡°Don¡¯t we all?¡± Darian turned and marched out of the prison and into the chill courtyard where the scent of morning warmth hung thick in the air. Isaac awaited them. The boy¡¯s brow was arched down, his body rigid as he stood next to an open door. ¡°We found a few bedrooms in this one,¡± he said, nudging his shoulder at the building behind him. ¡°Found what had to be the garrison commander¡¯s room. Krast is in there though, says it¡¯s his.¡± ¡°He can sleep wherever he wants,¡± Jorg said. ¡°Bed looked real comfortable though. Big and full of nice furs.¡± He shook his head. ¡°But Krast always gets what he wants.¡± ¡°No one ever always gets what they want,¡± Darian said, moving past the boy and into the darkness beyond. The interior of the building was much less drab than the others. The wooden floor was old, scarred by time and the scrape of soldiers¡¯ boots. But it was well maintained, and the scent of cedar still touched the air. The walls, while made of the same dark stone as all the other buildings, were decorated with tapestries and paintings. If Darian wasn¡¯t already in a fort, he could have mistaken the place for a noble¡¯s home. ¡°Beds are upstairs,¡± Isaac said, pushing past Darian. ¡°Stairs are this way.¡± The boy scooped up a flickering lantern that hung by the door and motioned for them to follow. As they made their way down dim corridor after dim corridor, Jorg whispered at Darian¡¯s back. ¡°The prisoner, what do you plan on doing with him?¡± Darian shrugged as he walked beneath a low arch that led to a set of stone steps. ¡°He still hasn¡¯t said where Oliver is. Until we get all the information we can out of him, he stays in his cell.¡± ¡°I figured that much,¡± Jorg said with a hint of annoyance. ¡°But I¡¯m asking about after that? The man is dangerous, I¡¯m sure I don¡¯t have to tell you that. And while I saw no signs of a bloodthirsty killer in his past, he was a member of the lich cult.¡± Jorg stopped, his voice low. ¡°We should execute him once we¡¯re through with our questions.¡± Darian paused. ¡°You want to kill him? Why?¡± ¡°I may have faltered in my faith to the church, but not to Argus. And Argus¡¯ teaching about necromancers are clear and absolute. They possess darkened souls, and they should be purged wherever they appear. Lest they spread like a festering wound.¡± Darian couldn¡¯t handle it anymore. He rounded on the Justicar, doing his best to keep his anger in check. ¡°Jorg, you¡¯re no longer a Justicar. You¡¯re a vampire. A bloodsucking monster of the night who is closer to the undead than you are to the living. Should you ¡®purge¡¯ yourself, in that case? I know I¡¯m not the best person to say this, but please stop being such a self-righteous hypocrite.¡± Darian couldn¡¯t help but feel like a hypocrite himself, and so he stepped back, his temper cooling. ¡°I¡¯ve killed people. Some good, some bad. I killed them because I thought it was the right thing to do. And I will continue to kill where I see it as necessary. But I think we both need to change if we¡¯re going to survive out here. And part of that means we can¡¯t just kill people because we don¡¯t agree with who or what they are.¡± Jorg¡¯s body tensed, and he glared into Darian¡¯s eyes. ¡°Change? Change how? Would you have me abandon my faith? And you are no better than I.¡± He took a half step forward, his face and Darian¡¯s only an inch apart. ¡°Your sense of morals is what drives you, do not pretend otherwise. You play the hero when it suits you, take lives when it suits you, and make demands when it suits you. And now, do you even contemplate your actions? Why is finding and killing Oliver so important to you? Is vengeance for a man you hardly knew worth so much?¡± Darian¡¯s hands flew up and gripped Jorg by his collar. But Jorg did not relent. He simply continued to stare, their crimson eyes locked together, old rage bubbling up between them. Then Isaac approached, the boy rubbing his hands together timidly, the lantern creaking as it swayed in his grip. ¡°Sirs,¡± he said, his voice meek. ¡°I know it¡¯s been a long road, but can we leave it be for now? You need to rest.¡± They both turned their heads at the boy, and he shrunk back. But looking at him, Jorg and Darian relaxed. ¡°We should not fight in front of him,¡± Jorg said, brushing Darian¡¯s hands away. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Darian mumbled, anger still simmering beneath his flesh. ¡°I don¡¯t know what came over me.¡± ¡°Perhaps you¡¯re just hungry? I know I am.¡± Isaac tapped his stomach. ¡°Maybe we can go looking for something when night falls?¡± ¡°Maybe,¡± Darian said. ¡°But there is a prisoner we must¡­deal with first.¡± He cut his eyes at Jorg. ¡°But first, we rest.¡± Jorg moved past Isaac and up the stairs. Darian waited there for a moment, listening to the man¡¯s heavy steps. Why did I get so upset? He and Jorg weren¡¯t friends, but they weren¡¯t exactly enemies either. But something about what he said needled Darian¡¯s heart. I need to find out the real reason he came with me. Jorg had followed Darian from Fria¡¯s village on some supposed quest, but he had not shared details with Darian. He thought maybe the man had just been confused, having gone from dying of a plague to being a vampire in the span of only a few hours. But if they were to continue traveling together, this tension would need to be resolved. And that couldn¡¯t happen until all parties were honest with each other. He followed Isaac up the steps. The air became significantly warmer as they walked, and Darian spotted glowing orange runes carved into the stone along the ceiling. ¡°Krast said they¡¯re dwarven heating runes,¡± Isaac explained, noticing Darian¡¯s wide-eyed amazement. ¡°Heating runes?¡± He reached up, the tips of his fingers brushing the hot stone. ¡°Well, even if they¡¯re not, I¡¯m thankful for the heat.¡± Isaac led Darian to another open door, a small bedroom beyond. ¡°Krast¡¯s brother is an adventurer. He might have told him about them on one of his last visits.¡± ¡°This brother¡­is he?¡± Darian knew both Krast and Isaac had lost their parents to the plague, with Isaac also losing his little sister. ¡°He¡¯s alive. Well, maybe. Haven¡¯t seen him in an age. But he¡¯s tough. Not as tough as you, but close.¡± Isaac smiled. ¡°He used to have me and Krast come at him at once, but we never got the better of him.¡± Seeing the boy smile warmed Darian¡¯s heart, and some of his lingering anger dissipated. He reached out and gripped Isaac¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Thank you for finding these rooms for us. It was a big help. I want you to know Jorg and I, we both appreciate it.¡± ¡°No need to thank me sir, Krast is the one who found the rooms. You should be thanking him.¡± Darian looked around. ¡°I don¡¯t see him. In fact, I hear he claimed the biggest and best room for himself.¡± He grinned. ¡°I can thank him later. But for now, thank you, Isaac. I mean it.¡± He pulled his hand away. ¡°Now then, I think it¡¯s time we all get a good day¡¯s rest. I¡¯ll see you tomorrow night, dark and late.¡± Isaac nodded, then left, his lantern casting shadows along the hall. Darian closed the door and pulled Sparkblade from his inventory. He placed the blade by the bed in the corner, just in case anything tried to surprise him while he slept. The room itself was sparce, with a bookshelf in one corner and a bed in the other. A dresser of darkened wood stretched along one wall, the surface scattered with random small tools and a half-built crossbow. The ceiling was low, a glowing rune situated at its center. It bathed the room in dim, amber light, and waves of heat rolled from it like an open flame. Darian slowly took off his clothes and armor, his body sore all over from the night¡¯s battles. His shoulder, while no longer torn, was red and puffy. He balled up his armor and clothes atop the dresser, and he lowered himself onto the bed. It was soft, the blankets and sheets made from some kind of animal fur. Sinking into it, Darian¡¯s mind began to swirl. The argument he had with Jorg played again and again, his temper rising each time he recalled the brief exchange. But he could not place where his anger stemmed from, not exactly, at least. Part of him knew Jorg was right. Maybe it was the fact they were both kindred hypocrites. One held to the standards of his faith, the other to a set of morals that eroded with each passing day. What did right and wrong even mean to a vampire? What should it mean? But beyond all of that, his thoughts returned to Oliver. Even thinking about him and his sly smile sent fire to Darian¡¯s blood. He wanted to tear him apart, to wet his tongue with the man¡¯s blood. His blood had been the most delicious he had ever smelled. There was power in it, power Darian wanted for himself. And while he did want vengeance, there was more to it. A hunger Darian no longer wanted to deny. With his thoughts still tearing at him, Darian rolled over and did his best to let sleep claim him. But despite his morning induced fatigue, he did not find the sweet embrace of oblivion easy. *** Tellal fluttered by her sister¡¯s side. They¡¯d spent the night curled up in the hollow of an old oak tree, Lallet¡¯s magic keeping them warm. But now night had fallen, and so the nightblood fairies took to the skies in search of mischief. But then she remembered all the men were dead. Well, not all of them. She looked down at the fort. Such a lonely, ugly thing. But the soldiers had proven fun targets for their pranks. She smiled especially at the time they managed to get a hot coal into one of their trousers. But the stupid dwarves and undead had ruined all the fun. ¡°What should we do?¡± Lallet asked. Tellal was the older sister, born a whole two seconds before Lallet came into the world. And that, naturally, meant she was in charge. ¡°We could stay a while. I know you fancy that white haired fellow.¡± ¡°He is quite the looker.¡± Lallet hovered toward the fort. ¡°But I fear any pranks will not be to his liking.¡± ¡°When has that ever stopped you?¡± Tellal asked. ¡°Did you see what he did to the nightmare?¡± Lallet shivered. ¡°I would rather not upset him.¡± She rubbed her ribs, the place where Tellal knew her soul brand was. ¡°He¡¯s far too nice to carve us up. I can tell.¡± Tellal smiled. ¡°He could have squished me, but he didn¡¯t. I¡¯m sure he can handle a little mischief.¡± Lallet nodded. ¡°Then what do you have in¡ª¡± She stopped, her wings buzzing. ¡°What is that?¡± Tellal followed her sister¡¯s concerned eyes. There was a trail of light heading toward the fort from the road into Vizzera. Judging by how far it stretched, the caravan had to be massive. ¡°Vizzerans?¡± Lallet asked. ¡°Why would so many be coming this way in the dead of winter?¡± Tellal activated her skill [Far Sight], increasing her level of visual perception enough that she could make out the blurred figures on the road. ¡°Not Vizzerans,¡± she mumbled. ¡°Dwarves.¡± Her eyes rested on the banners they carried. A gold cog on a black background. ¡°The same mercenaries that attacked the fort.¡± ¡°Why would they return?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, but they mean business.¡± The dwarves marched in neat rows, massive golems among them. And they had carts and wagons bursting with supplies. Whatever they were doing, they were in it for the long haul. ¡°We should go,¡± Lallet said. ¡°Before they get here.¡± She fluttered higher. ¡°The frost witch Rena is dead. We could nest in the forest. Find a nice village to torment.¡± ¡°Maybe,¡± Tellal said, noticing a small fire within the fort¡¯s courtyard. ¡°But I¡¯m going to warn them first.¡± ¡°Warn them? Why? We should be leaving.¡± Tellal ignored her sister, her wings carrying her toward the fort. She could hear Lallet groan behind her, but soon the buzz of her wings joined with hers. ¡°If something goes wrong, it¡¯s going to be your fault,¡± she said. ¡°Naturally,¡± Tellal replied. ¡°But we should be gone before all the killing starts.¡± ¡°We better be. I¡¯m not dying here. Not after all we¡¯ve been through to make it this far.¡± They wouldn''t be dying, not on Tellal¡¯s watch. But worry ate at her heart, for she could sense one of her kind nearby, watching and waiting. B2 Chapter 19 - History Darian woke with a start, sweat pooled on the pillow beneath him. He blinked into the darkness, his eyes scanning for some object of familiarity. But then he realized where he was, and he sunk back down into the bed. He had been dreaming, but not of the lake of blood that had so often plagued his nights, but of home. Of his mother and father, their little house on the edge of the forest. A few brief months had passed since his death, yet it felt as if his old life were truly nothing but a dream. Sliding off the bed, Darian tested his sore limbs. His passive regeneration had healed him overnight, but the stiffness of a hard-fought battle still dogged his steps. With a groan he walked and then stood beneath the orange rune on the ceiling. Heat rolled off it in great waves, the warmth soothing Darian¡¯s aching body. There was the shuffle of heavy feet in the hall, and Darian turned to listen. Jorg by the sounds of things. While Darian naturally rose when the sun fell, the same could not be said of the other vampires. The boys especially had a habit of trying to sleep the night away. But if Jorg was awake, Darian probably needed to talk to him. He still wasn¡¯t sure what the paladin had said the previous night to send such a flash of anger to his heart. But they could not continue with this much tension between them. He walked to the dresser and donned his armor and clothes. His chainmail was split along the shoulder, the rings torn apart by the nightmare¡¯s claws. Because of his [Blood Squire] class, Darian had some knowledge of repair. But that wouldn¡¯t help him in this case. What he needed was something new. This is a fort. I¡¯m sure there¡¯s some armor that will fit me around here somewhere. Maybe even something a little warmer. Fully dressed, he left his room and made for the stairs. Without a lantern, the only light came from the dim glow of the dwarven runes. They served almost like cheap overhead lights, and Darian followed them until he reached the first floor. It was nearly pitch black, but the glow of distant starlight shone from somewhere down the hall. Following it, Darian was able to navigate the twisting halls of the officer¡¯s barracks and reach the exit. Jorg was out in the courtyard, a pile of wood shards and a broken chair before him. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Darian asked. ¡°Lighting a fire,¡± Jorg said, striking something together between his palms. Light flashed in the pile, fire springing to life a moment later. Jorg reached his hands toward it, his fur cloak tugged by the wind. ¡°Don¡¯t think a fire will keep you warm out here,¡± Darian said as he moved to Jorg¡¯s side. ¡°It¡¯s not for warmth.¡± Jorg crouched, the firelight dancing in his crimson eyes. ¡°Routines. They help clear the mind.¡± ¡°Did you light lots of fires during your time as a Justicar?¡± Jorg smirked. ¡°More than my fair share. Lots of folk have skills that let them start fires with nothing but a thought or a wave of their hand. But that can cause problems when none of those people are around.¡± He shook his head. ¡°We lost a lot of men during our first war with the demons, and the mages were the first to fall. When winter hit, there were a whole lot of people in need a of a fire to keep them company during the long road home.¡± ¡°Why were the mages the first to fall?¡± Darian asked, settling down on the ground opposite Jorg. ¡°Demons don¡¯t play well with certain kinds of magic. And they¡¯re expert raiders and ambushers. They whittled down our forces long before we could reach the front lines.¡± He spat into the fire. ¡°Bastards, the lot of them.¡± ¡°And now Lonelen is fighting them again.¡± Darian stared into the flame, wondering what a war between the Justicars and demons must look like. ¡°And we do not have our God with us this time.¡± He looked into Darian¡¯s eyes, worry creasing his face. ¡°I fear my nation will not survive this war. Not unless we find allies.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry to say, but the Justicars don¡¯t seem very popular.¡± Jorg, to Darian¡¯s surprise, nodded his agreement. ¡°We have lost our way since the first war. And now we scramble in the dark trying to find meaning in a world gone mad.¡± He nudged his head toward the prison. ¡°My faith tells me what is righteous and what is not. Yet my faith has not saved my people.¡± He stood and stretched. ¡°I will leave the fate of the prisoner up to you.¡± ¡°To be honest, I don¡¯t know what to do with him. Him or any of this.¡± He waved his hand in an arc. ¡°I¡¯ve tried doing what I think is right, and it¡¯s worked out alright so far. But things are more complicated now. I have other people I need to consider, responsibilities that weigh on me. And to tell you the truth, I feel directionless.¡± He stood and dusted the dirt from his pants. ¡°I came to Vizzera with the hopes of finding a safe place for me and my kind, but all I¡¯ve found is more violence.¡± ¡°The world is a violent place, Darian. More so now than perhaps ever before. But you are powerful. Maybe that will be enough to see your goals realized, whatever they end up becoming.¡± The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Darian laughed. ¡°Never thought you¡¯d give me a compliment like that.¡± ¡°Not a compliment,¡± Jorg corrected. ¡°Simply an observation.¡± A moment of silence passed between them. Might as well ask him now. ¡°Jorg¡­why exactly did you follow me all the way out here?¡± Jorg looked back into the flames, his face falling slack. ¡°I was instructed to follow you.¡± ¡°Instructed?¡± Darian didn¡¯t like where this was going. ¡°By who?¡± Before Jorg could answer, a pair of purple lights descended from the sky. ¡°Dwarves!¡± Tellal said between rabid gasps for air. ¡°On the road. Headed¡­this way.¡± Jorg jumped back from the fairy. ¡°Fey.¡± He said with a growl. ¡°She¡¯s friendly,¡± Darian said, dismissing the paladin. ¡°Fey are nothing but clever monsters. They cannot be trusted.¡± Tellal stuck her tongue out. ¡°Seems we¡¯ve found another bigot, Lallet.¡± Lallet fluttered down to her sister¡¯s side. ¡°Why are they always so ugly?¡± Jorg started forward. ¡°You insignificant¡ª¡± Darian grabbed him around the shoulders and pushed him away, the old Justicar nearly pitching into the dirt as he floundered for balance on the icy ground. ¡°Ignore him,¡± Darian commanded. ¡°Now, what is this about dwarves?¡± ¡°They¡¯re part of the mercenary band that attacked the fort,¡± Tellal answered. ¡°And there¡¯s a lot of them. Way too many for even you to fight,¡± Lallet added. ¡°Damn this nonsense,¡± Jorg said. But then Darian heard it. The stomp of dozens of boots on the eastern road, the sound of something bigger and slower moving along with them. ¡°They¡¯re telling the truth,¡± Darian said, cold fear nestling in his chest. ¡°Wake the boys. We have to leave.¡± Jorg hesitated, looking between the eastern gate and the sisters. ¡°Go!¡± Darian demanded. ¡°Or it will be too late.¡± Thankfully the stubborn paladin relented. He broke into a sprint, his body disappearing into the officer¡¯s barracks. ¡°Thank you for the warning,¡± Darian said, turning for the prison. ¡°Not a problem,¡± Tellal said. ¡°But now we have to go. Good luck!¡± ¡°Please don¡¯t die!¡± Lallet called from above. Darian strode for the prison. He still needed to find out where Oliver was, and Alistair would tell him or suffer the consequences. He found him in the same corner as always, but his breaths were shallow, muted by slumber. ¡°Get up,¡± Darian said as he entered the cell. ¡°The dwarves have returned.¡± Alistair woke with a start, his eyes wide and frantic. But then he calmed, his usual lax demeanor returning. ¡°They¡¯ve come back already? Figured they would wait a little longer before they decided to take this place.¡± ¡°You knew this would happen?¡± ¡°I had my suspicions.¡± Alistair slowly rose. ¡°But even I don¡¯t know what they and the lich cult are up to. Not completely.¡± ¡°Oliver,¡± Darian growled. ¡°Where is he?¡± ¡°Now now,¡± Alistair said, tutting. ¡°That¡¯s not the kind of thing one gets for fr¡ª¡± Darian¡¯s fist crunched into the necromancer¡¯s stomach, doubling him over. He coughed and slid down the wall, his hands wrapped around his ribs. ¡°I don¡¯t have time for this.¡± He pointed at the door. ¡°You think they will let you live? You either tell me where Oliver is, or I leave you in here for them to deal with.¡± Alistair laughed. ¡°There¡¯s that,¡± he coughed. ¡°Killer. Knew it was in there somewhere.¡± He groaned. ¡°But you make a fine point. Oliver is to the north in the lich cult¡¯s fortress. Follow the edge of the mountains north, then turn into the forest and follow the river. You won¡¯t be able to miss it.¡± He raised his shackled hands. ¡°Now please, hack these damned things off me before the stunted ones break in here and things get really nasty.¡± ¡°Fine.¡± Darian reached into his inventory for Sparkblade. But it wasn¡¯t there. It was still sitting beside his bed where he¡¯d placed it the previous night. ¡°Shit,¡± he said. ¡°Will a regular sword be able to break the null ore?¡± ¡°Without breaking my wrists? Probably not.¡± Darian closed his eyes. Of all the times to leave my sword behind. ¡°I¡¯ll be back.¡± He turned for the door. ¡°That a promise, killer?¡± Darian didn¡¯t answer. He sprinted into the courtyard. With his speed, he could probably retrieve Sparkblade and be back to Alistair before Jorg had even finished raising the boys. But he slid to a stop as he approached the officer¡¯s barracks. Emerging from the far end of the courtyard was a trio of dwarves. They stood hunched together, two wielding crossbows, the other a hammer and shield. When they noticed Darian, they fell into a defensive stance. ¡°Who in the hells are you?¡± the shielded one asked. ¡°Thought no one but the dead were supposed to be here,¡± another added. Darian was about to speak when Jorg and the boys stepped into the starlight. The shielded dwarf stared at Jorg, recognition flashing across his blocky face. ¡°Jorg?¡± he said, a hint of rage in his voice. ¡°Thought we wiped this place clean of your kind. But there¡¯s always more rats, isn¡¯t that right boys?¡± He turned to the dwarf on his left. ¡°Fanrel, get that gate open.¡± His shield began to glow, two shapes appearing in the doorway behind him. ¡°We¡¯ve more vermin to kill.¡± B2 Chapter 20 - Battle in the Courtyard ¡°Drolen,¡± Jorg said, hefting his mace up. ¡°Should have known filth like you be involved in this.¡± ¡°Isaac,¡± Darian mumbled. ¡°My sword is in the room you showed me. Get it.¡± The boy hesitated, looking between Jorg and the dwarves. But then he sprinted into the building, Krast following behind. The shielded dwarf stepped forward, the hulk of two metal men appearing in the doorway behind him. ¡°Filth? Is that what you think of me? I¡¯m a changed man, Jorg.¡± He raised his thick-headed mace. ¡°And I¡¯m no longer alone.¡± A crossbow bolt pierced the air, the tip aimed at Jorg¡¯s chest. But the paladin expected the attack, and he ducked low and to the left. The bolt slid right over his shoulder, thunking as it imbedded itself in the fort¡¯s outer wall. Darian pulled a sword from his inventory and charged the dwarf named Fanrel. He was headed for the gate and would have it open before long. The sound of marching dwarves was still some distance away, but the first would arrive at the fort within ten minutes, maybe a little longer. And it hasn¡¯t been 24 hours since I used my summon skills. Going to have to do this fight without them. They had to be gone before the other dwarves arrived, or they risked being surrounded and cut down. The bright gleam of a spear stabbed at Darian¡¯s face, and he jumped back. The man who held it was humanoid in shape, but his body was made of twisting, dark metal. A golem. Blue steam sprayed from its joints as it jabbed forward, the spear moving with speed and accuracy. But just like the skeletons Darian was used to fighting, there was no particular skill or rhythm to the attacks. They were swift and powerful, but lacked grace. Darian knocked the first two thrusts wide before wreathing his blade in arcane acid. He drove it down and forward, the blade clanging as it smashed into the mechanical man¡¯s shoulder. But the metal held firm, sizzling from the acid, but otherwise unharmed. Darian was wondering what to do next when the second golem rushed him, blocking out all thoughts except that of defense. He backed away, parrying and blocking, doing his best to put one of his foes in the path of the other. But they were too swift, too precise in their maneuvering to get in each other¡¯s way. And so Darian was pushed further and further away from Jorg, the paladin having his own pitched battle against the dwarf¡¯s leader, Drolen. Activating [Arcane Blade], Darian jabbed his sword forward, the edge lit by magical electricity. The golem attempted to throw the strike wide, but Darian pulled back his attack, then thrusted it forward and past the golem¡¯s defenseless guard. It burst in a flash of brilliant sparks as the tip pierced the construct¡¯s chest. Blue light flashed between the cracks in the golem¡¯s armor and the air filled with the hiss of steam. It stumbled, then fell to one knee. Darian prepared the finishing blow, but the other golem pressed in on him with a flurry. He sidestepped the final thrust and placed his palm against the golem¡¯s head, delivering [Shocking Grasp] followed by [Corrosive Touch]. But it persisted through the combination, twisting to bring the haft of its spear up and forward. With a hard shove, it sent Darian on the backfoot. Then it moved in and started its flurry of attacks all over again. Seems like the middle of the chest is their weak point. The other golem had managed to stand, but whatever light that powered it from within was diming, and the construct was slow to move. It lumbered behind its brother with hardly enough strength to lift its spear. Darian ducked to the right and used [Dash Strike] to close the distance on the wounded golem, a thrust aimed at the gap in its chest. With a loud crack, Darian¡¯s sword burst through the golem¡¯s core, the glass like sphere shattering in a blinding spray of azure light. Then he spun, his sword sparking as it narrowly blocked a spear. Driving forward, Darian kicked the golem in the chest, stumbling it. Then he electrified his blade and attacked, [Determined strike] adding extra strength to the blow. At the moment his sword struck the construct¡¯s chest, the bolt of a crossbow slammed into his arm, right above the elbow. The force of it sent his attack wide, and Darian¡¯s sword slid down the golem¡¯s midsection. And off balance, Darian couldn¡¯t defend as the metallic man brought the bladed edge of his spear up in an arc. It hit Darian¡¯s stomach first, his chainmail keeping his flesh protected. But as the golem twisted, the blade bit through the armor, leaving a searing gash from Darian¡¯s chest all the way to his collar bone. He gritted his teeth through the pain and glanced at the gate. It was wide open. The dwarf who shot him stood before it, frantically attempting to load another bolt into his crossbow. Staring at him, and with the golem reading another attack, Darian activated [Talon of the Night] It was a skill that didn¡¯t work on undead or constructs, and so he had little opportunity to use it since gaining it from his third race level. But the skill, which caused violent insanity if it succeeded, worked. The dwarf dropped his crossbow and clutched his beard, tugging at the hair like it was on fire. Darian had underestimated the golems, figuring he could dispatch them easily as he¡¯d done most of his last few opponents. But he should have used [Talon of the Night] from the beginning. Attempting to correct his mistake, he dodged a spear thrust and then activated it on Drolen and the dwarf beside him. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. Drolen resisted, but his ally did not. He dropped his crossbow and fell back, pulling and scratching at his face in a fit of screaming terror. Drolen didn¡¯t even glance at his companion, however, as Jorg¡¯s mace was busy pounding the dwarf¡¯s shield into an unrecognizable shape. [Talon of the Night] had a second ability, and Darian wasted no time attempting to activate it. Using [Dash Strike], he covered the distance between him and the dwarf by the gate in an instant. Thrusting with one arm was difficult, but Darian¡¯s sword piercing the dwarf¡¯s stomach, blood bursting as it ripped through the other side of his body. And as he continued to cry out in terror, Darian sunk his fangs into the short man¡¯s neck, savoring the earthy flavor of his blood. Drinking blood in combat fogged Darian¡¯s mind, his passive skill [Bloodfrenzy] increasing his strength and speed but muddling his thoughts. Pushing through the haze, he ripped his blade free, killing the screaming dwarf. But as his final, bubbling breath left him, he rose as a vampiric undead under Darian¡¯s control. Fangs spurted from the dwarf¡¯s mouth and his eyes fogged over a bright crimson. Without warning or direction, the undead charged Drolen from behind. But Darian changed the undead¡¯s orders, and it dove at the other crossbowman, ripping his throat out in a shower of blood. Then he too became Darian¡¯s puppet, and he sent the two of them at Drolen together. The remaining golem rushed to Drolen¡¯s aid, but one electricity enhanced thrust though the back and it was finished. Kicking its lifeless body over, Darian watched as Jorg approached Drolen. The dwarf commander¡¯s shield was smashed to pieces, and even without the undead¡¯s help, Jorg would have finished things soon enough. ¡°My old commander was too soft on you,¡± Jorg said, raising his mace. ¡°A mistake I will see corrected.¡± The dwarf was on one knee, blood running from his scalp and down into his beard. He grimaced, whatever history he and Jorg shared passing through his mind. He spat, then grunted as fangs buried themselves in his back and shoulder. Not giving the undead even a glance, Jorg drove his mace down, smashing Drolen¡¯s head in a single blow. Isaac and Krast emerged from the officer¡¯s barracks, Sparkblade gripped tightly in Isaac¡¯s gloved hands. They watched as the dwarf¡¯s body tumbled to the side, the undead feasting. Isaac watched with some degree of horror, but Krast could not contain himself. He pushed past Jorg and dove atop the body, his fangs finding soft flesh. ¡°We need to leave,¡± Darian said, dropping his sword to pull the crossbow bolt out of his arm. ¡°Agreed,¡± Jorg replied. He stared at Drolen¡¯s body, hunger in his eyes. If they didn¡¯t move out soon, he would lose himself to the hunger just like Krast. Darian walked over to Isaac, the boy still stuck somewhere between horrified, and blood crazed. He was gripping Sparkblade so tightly Darian nearly had to pry his fingers from the weapon. But with his sword secured, Darian turned to pull Krast off the body. That was when something smashed into his chest. He flew backwards, the world tumbling as he flipped through the air. Landing with a thud, he rolled, his back cracking as it met stone. He blinked, vision blurry, his ears full of tumbling rock and gnashing metal. Jorg was fighting someone near the barracks, and he was on the back foot, his opponent barreling at him with a massive hammer. Darian stuck his sword into the cold, hard ground, and used it to stand. His chest throbbed and his ribs cried out in agony as he bent over the pommel of his blade. Sticking from the ground where he¡¯d been standing was an arched pillar of stone. It must have come up and hit me. He groaned, his whole body tingling from head to foot. A rock the size of a football spiraled from behind the pillar. Darian managed to duck it, but then another sped toward him. This one collided with his shoulder, and he stumbled back and into the wall. A dwarf appeared from the barracks doorway, wielding a short hammer in one hand and some kind of glowing stone in the other. Two golems flanked him, the tips of their spears bright in the starlight. And raising the fist that held the stone, the ground beneath Darian began to tremble. He pulled his sword free and fell backwards into the prison. Then he scrambled up as the dwarf and his golems began to advance. He commanded his two undead to attack the dwarf, but his golems cut them off. Darian would have to fight him alone. ¡°Ah, I see you¡¯ve retrieved your magical sword,¡± Alistair said from the side. ¡°Mind giving these a whack with it?¡± He raised his bound wrists. Darian gave the man a withering glance. ¡°I¡¯m busy.¡± He did his best to adopt a fighting stance. He had one use left of [Talon of the Night], but if it didn¡¯t work, he had other options. Isaac¡¯s scream split the air. ¡°Sound like you need help,¡± Alistair said. ¡°Get me out and I can summon you up some fresh meat.¡± ¡°A guy like you can¡¯t be trusted. You¡¯d run, or worse.¡± Darian¡¯s legs were starting to steady themselves, but the dwarf would be in the room before he could fully recover. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t be running any time soon. I haven¡¯t had food in days. Truth be told, I¡¯m not getting anywhere without help. And as for something worse? I¡¯m no murderer, your friend could attest to that.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t trust you,¡± Darian flatly replied. Alistair moved forward, his hands held up as the sound of battle grew outside. ¡°You need me, and I need you. I¡¯m not asking for trust, but we can at least help each other get out of this fort alive.¡± A rock sped through the open doorway and Darian ducked to the side, nearly falling as his chest tightened and his ribs screamed. ¡°Do not make me regret this,¡± he said, turning, putting all his strength into a downward chop. Sparkblade collided with the null ore binding Alistair¡¯s wrists, the edge striking right in the small crack Alistair had managed to make after his days of smashing them against the wall. There was a flash of light, then the shackles fell to the floor with a dull thud. ¡°My thanks,¡± Alistair said, shadows beginning to swirl around his feet. The dwarf burst into the room, his eyes focused on Darian. But then darkness crept across the floor, and rising from it came clawed hands of bone and flesh. Within moments, a horde of zombies and skeletons filled the hall, and the dwarf was forced to retreat. ¡°Keep them off me,¡± Alistair said, panting as he shuffled for the hole in in his prison cell. ¡°And I¡¯ll make sure we both get out of here alive.¡± B2 Chapter 21 - Fight and Flight Darian activated his new skill [Minor Rally], bolstering Alistair¡¯s undead. While they couldn¡¯t benefit from some of the skill¡¯s buffs, they would at least be a little tougher. They lurched for the dwarf in unison, and the man was forced to retreat into the courtyard. ¡°Do you know any dark magic spells?¡± Darian asked, his legs finally stable beneath him. Alistair nodded. ¡°A few.¡± Darian moved in front of the necromancer and squared his shoulders. ¡°Hit me with the strongest dark magic spell you have.¡± Alistair stammered. ¡°Why would I¡ª¡± ¡°Just do it!¡± The necromancer sighed but did as he was told. Darian could hear him as he raised his arm, then he heard the crackle of magic from within the man¡¯s palm. A moment later and a surge of dark energy slammed into his back, the force nearly taking him off his feet. But he checked his HP, smiling as it rose. ¡°My thanks,¡± Darian said, testing his left arm. While it still wasn¡¯t 100%, he could now use it swing his sword. ¡°What kind of creature are you?¡± Alistair asked. Darian ignored the question and followed the undead out into the courtyard. He spotted Jorg and one of the dwarves locked in combat. Krast was nearby, crouched over the crumpled shape of Isaac. One golem still stood, its spear buried in one of Darian¡¯s undead. But the other had been torn apart, its limbs scattered around the corpse of Darian¡¯s other creation. Bursting into action, Darian rounded the horde of skeletons and zombies. The earth manipulating dwarf was raising his arm again, the stone within his hand shining bright in the darkness. With a downward chop, Darian sliced through his wrist. The dwarf screamed but the sound was cut short as Darian¡¯s blade found his throat. Blood spewed from the wound, and Darian used it to send his daggers into the back of the remaining golem, causing the construct to stumble and fall. Using this opportunity, Darian dispatched it with an electrified thrust. And with the golem dead, he turned his attention to Jorg. The paladin was losing his fight. The dwarf he fought seemed bigger than the others, but he was twice as fast, wilding his two-handed hammer with surprising agility. He cracked Jorg on the shoulder and he dropped his mace. One more blow could be fatal. Darian hit the dwarf in the back with a flaming spear. The attack didn¡¯t seem to cause much damage, but it distracted him enough for Jorg to move out of his reach. ¡°Heal Isaac,¡± Darian called. ¡°I¡¯ll handle this one.¡± He started by casting [Talon of the Night], but the skill was resisted. Then he activated his defensive skills as the dwarf turned to face him, the gems embedded in his golden necklace glowing as he barreled forward. Darian was faster, but the dwarf¡¯s attacks were weighty, and Darian had little idea how to best use his sword when fighting such an opponent. Deciding to rely on his agility, he dodged and circled, Alistair¡¯s undead drawing closer by the second. But then the dwarf, glancing at his fallen allies, stopped attacking. He gripped his hammer tight to his chest, golden light spreading through it like glowing roots. Then the light flashed, flowing from the hammer like mist into the ground around the dwarf¡¯s feet. Darian rushed in, but the dwarf parried the thrust. Then the dirt began to rip free of the ground in great clumps, forming and solidifying into the rough shapes of men. There were four of the earthen creations in total, and the dwarf sent them to block the advance of Alistair¡¯s undead. And though they were heavily outnumbered, the creatures the dwarf created were sturdy and more than enough to hold back the tide. Darian and the dwarf exchanged blows, Darian landing a cut along the dwarf¡¯s forearm and receiving a short strike to the chest in response. Casting [Biting Swarm], Darian was able to throw his opponent off balance. But even this distraction proved futile, as a green gem within the dwarf¡¯s necklace flashed, dispelling the shadow bats. Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. As Darian and the dwarf circled looking for openings, Jorg had cast his healing magic on Isaac. The boy was alive, but Krast had to lift him onto his shoulders. Jorg found his mace on the ground and was about to join Darian when he too heard the march of approaching dwarves. ¡°We must flee!¡± Jorg called, his back to the barracks. Alistair shot a bolt of dark energy at the dwarf. He ducked the magical attack, but a swift kick to the chest from Darian sent him teetering backwards. But the dwarf and his summons were clogging up the area in front of the gate, blocking off their retreat into Lonelen. ¡°The tunnel,¡± Alistair rasped, his face pale and beaded by sweat. ¡°We must use the tunnel.¡± There was no telling what lay in the tunnel, though no new threats had emerged from the barracks. But the tunnel could lead to more of them, and what if they use the earth to crush us while we¡¯re inside? He had to make a decision, and soon. More enemies were about to reach the fort, and the stubborn dwarf proved too difficult to dispatch quickly. Jorg looked into the barracks and cursed. ¡°Follow me,¡± he said to Krast, Isaac hanging limp across the boy¡¯s shoulders. As they disappeared into the building, the ground between Darian and the dwarf writhed in solid shadow. Then Alistair raised his hand and a thick wall of bone appeared, blocking off the dwarf. The necromancer, weakened from his imprisonment, almost collapsed after completing his spell. But then he summoned another skeleton, this one bigger than the others. It dropped its rusty iron sword and shield and scooped the thin necromancer up. It would have looked comical in different circumstances. The skeleton¡¯s bones rattled as it followed Darian into the barracks. A great pit yawned at the other end of the room, the tunnel diving into the earth. Jorg¡¯s heavy steps echoed from within, and Darian wasted no time following the paladin. Alistair and his skeleton were slow to follow, but Darian could not stop for them. While he heard no other signs of enemies within the tunnel, he could hear shouting from both the courtyard and the gate into Vizzera. Soon the fort would swarm with dwarves. Though their current predicament wasn¡¯t much better. Even if no other opponents awaited them within the tunnel, the dwarves would know where Darian and the others were headed. Jorg¡¯s glowing mace was the only light in the squat darkness of the tunnel. Whatever had dug the tunnel¡ª dwarven magic by Darian¡¯s estimation¡ªhadn¡¯t left much room for maneuvering. The walls were wide enough for two people to stand side by side and the ceiling was short. But there was evidence that a portion of the tunnel had collapsed. With how narrow the passage was, there was no way undead or dwarves had made it through with enough numbers to kill the fort¡¯s defenders. And if parts of it had collapsed, it meant they could do so again. Squeezing through, the sound of Alistair¡¯s ragged breath began to fill Darian¡¯s ears. He was still a good distance behind, stopping occasionally to cast a spell. Further past him came the shouting of men and the scrape of steel. It seemed some of Alistair¡¯s summoned creatures were holding back their pursuers. They traveled for what felt like hours, the slow incline of the tunnel the only sign they weren¡¯t running in place. But eventually a hint of winter air touched Darian¡¯s cheek, and the glimmer of distant starlight marked an exit. Jorg was the first out, bursting into the clearing ready to bash heads if need be. Krast came next, Isaac still hanging over his shoulders. Darian exited soon after, his heart dropping as he noticed the small encampment built around the tunnel¡¯s exit. Though it had been abandoned, there were many footprints in the snow and signs of a recently extinguished fire. And Darian could hear the low rasp of frigid breath in the bushes along the forest¡¯s edge. They were not alone Then a crossbow bolt shot from the trees, the tip burying itself in Jorg¡¯s shoulder. He stumbled backwards as another bolt slammed into his chest, knocking him to the ground. Darian spotted the two crossbowmen in the canopy above. The trees were frozen solid by winter and leafless, yet the air around the dwarves shimmered and shifted, obscuring them from sight. He targeted them with [Biting Swarm] as he raised his sword. Two dwarves, both armed with shields and maces, exploded from the forest. As they charged another person appeared behind them, a human, his skin pale and his body wrapped in dark cloth. A necromancer. With a simple flick of his wrist, the ground was swallowed by shadow, and the undead clawed from the dirt to join the battle. The necromancer then stepped forward, his body encased in swirling shadows. Darian cast a concerned glance at Jorg, noticing the paladin lay unmoving on the ground. Krast was beside him, Isaac staring wide eyed from the boy¡¯s back. And Alistair was still in the tunnel, leaving Darian alone to face both the undead and the dwarves. But then a warm breeze blew through the trees, carrying thick green fog with it. Something about it gave the dwarves pause, and they backed away, forming a defensive perimeter around the necromancer. And as the fog continued to thicken, the snow upon the ground melted, grass growing and spreading where frost had been only moments prior. Then the familiar chittering of gremlins filled the clearing, and all fell into chaos. B2 Chapter 22 - Unexpected Allies Gremlins materialized from the mist in great droves, the monsters immediately attacking the undead horde the necromancer had summoned. Darian moved to Jorg¡¯s side as the bloody slaughter began, his sword held at the ready. But none of the little beasts attacked him or the others. Their attention seemed to be solely focused on the dwarves and their undead allies. ¡°I can¡¯t stop the bleeding,¡± Krast huffed, his hands pressed to Jorg¡¯s chest. Blood ran freely from the crossbow bolt in the big man¡¯s chest. His eye lids fluttered, and his muscles tensed as he tried to rise, but his wounds were too severe. And he¡¯d used his healing spells on Isaac, leaving them with no magical means to help him. Darian activated [Minor Rally] hoping the extra strength and constitution the skill provided could help. But even after the skill resolved, Jorg did not improve. ¡°He¡¯s dying,¡± Krast whispered, defeated. Darian scanned the battlefield, looking for some way to get the wounded out. But with both Isaac and Jorg down, there was simply no way they could escape without being overwhelmed. But I will not abandon them. He set his stance, ready to carve a bloody path through the forest if that¡¯s what it took. Roots erupted from the earth around Jorg, cocooning his body in bark before Darian had time to react. Then the wood started to press in tighter, threating to crush the paladin where he lay. Darian hacked at the twisting roots, but the wood regenerated after each slash. ¡°Leave him be,¡± a voice whispered from the fog, penetrating Darian¡¯s thoughts. The roots stopped moving and a golden light began to envelop Jorg, the air humming from positive energy. ¡°It¡¯s healing him,¡± Krast said, stepping back. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Then more roots moved to surround Isaac, the boy grunting as they enveloped him. But then golden light spilled from the bark, and Isaac calmed, the red slash across his midsection slowly healing. Two creatures hesitantly fluttered down from above, their voice reaching out to Darian through the clashing of steel and the howl of the undead. ¡°They¡¯re safe!¡± Tellal called. Darian squinted up at the fairy sister¡¯s, confusion threatening to overwhelm his senses. ¡°We knew a fellow fey was close,¡± Lallet said. ¡°But we never though it would be her.¡± ¡°Who are you talking about?¡± Darian asked, noticing the gremlins were slowly being whittled down. ¡°She¡¯ll be here soon,¡± Tellal responded. ¡°We¡¯ll keep healing your friends, but you¡¯ll have to finish off the rest of them with the gremlins help,¡± Lallet added. So these roots are from them? He glanced at the fog. But I have a feeling the fog and gremlins are from someone else. Darian turned toward the battle, Sparkblade gripped tightly in his hands. If his companions were being tended to, then he could focus his full attention on the enemies before him. Mentally designating the remaining gremlins as allies, Darian activated [Minor Rally] and charged into the fray, his sword tearing a skeleton¡¯s head from its shoulders. Then he deflected a rusted sword before hacking his way toward the necromancer. Shielded dwarves still blocked his path and he could hear the crossbowmen preparing another round of bolts, but he would find a way through. The necromancer raised his palm and an orb of swirling flame burst through the mist. Darian ducked it, but another slammed into his shoulder. He gritted his teeth through the agony, his sword slicing through a zombie¡¯s leg. Vaulting the tumbling monster, Darian slammed his blade down, the edge cracking into the rim of a metal shield. The dwarf who held it stumbled back, the blow knocking him off balance. Then he made a halfhearted swing with his mace, the strike missing Darian as he dodged backwards. The other dwarf pressed forward, his shield lighting up. But he was too slow to help his companion. Arcing his blade past the dwarf¡¯s defenses, Darian¡¯s sword sliced down the dwarf¡¯s chest, his chainmail little defense against arcane steel. And with the aid of [Determined Strike] Darian pulled his arm back and thrust, his sword piercing the dwarf¡¯s stomach. Blood erupted from his mouth, and Darian pulled on it with his mind, solidifying it into a weapon. Jumping back from the other dwarf¡¯s mace, Darian sent his blood daggers into the warrior¡¯s shield. Distracted from the attack, Darian spun around and brought his sword downward. It carved into the dwarf¡¯s shoulder, parting the meat like a butcher¡¯s cleaver. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. The necromancer raised both arms, and the area around Darian erupted with pillars of ice. Darian managed to jump away before he was skewered, but one of the shards caught him along the leg. Hobbling, he ducked another fireball before returning with his own shard of ice. It hit the necromancer square in the chest, but it didn¡¯t manage to pierce his robe. Damn thing must be enchanted. The dwarf Darian had been fighting slumped over, his body pierced by the pillars. Discarded like a useless tool. Darian had no love in his heart for his enemies, but seeing them so quickly cast aside their allies lit a fire in his chest. Glancing about, the situation looked grim. The gremlins were all dead, leaving the remaining undead to wander toward the others while a few shuffled at Darian from behind. And there were at least two dwarves in the trees above, with who knows how many more potentially coming from the tunnel or the forest. But looking at the tunnel, Alistair emerged, his body still being cradled by his skeletal minion. He spotted his fellow practitioner of the dark arts, and frowned. ¡°Porter,¡± Alistair called, his voice a dry crackle. ¡°Never expected to see the likes of you again.¡± The necromancer turned his attention away from Darian, his lips curling around a sneer. He was about to say something when Darian activated [Dash Strike], shooting forward with enough speed to catch the necromancer off guard. He brought an arm up to defend himself, but Darian¡¯s sword sliced clean though it and into the man¡¯s shoulder. With a scream, he fell away, blood gushing from the searing wound. Before he could finish the necromancer, Darian was forced to jump to the side, a crossbow bolt thunking into the dirt where he¡¯d been standing. Then he heard the pull of a trigger, and another bolt was flying at him from above. Ducking, he managed to barely miss the attack, but then a fireball exploded against his chest, knocking him backwards. The necromancer was readying another spell when Darian activated [Rebound Pain], the skill he¡¯d absorbed from the nightmare¡¯s blood. The skill amplified and reflected whatever pain the user felt, and all of it mentally slammed into the necromancer. Whatever spell he was attempting to cast failed, and he instead began to writhe on the ground, his voice cracking as he screamed in agony. But he did not scream for long, as the edge of Darian¡¯s blade soon split his throat. And with him dead, his undead summons crumbled into nothingness. Darian knelt onto the ground and gripped the necromancer¡¯s body. His fangs sunk into his neck, warm blood filling his mouth.
Blood Consumed: Necromancer Lv. 11 Temporary skill gained: [Summon Horde]
The crimson nectar eased the burning in his chest and shoulder, but it also boosted his strength and agility. Tossing the body down, he spotted one of the dwarves in the branches above. Putting all his strength into his legs, Darian jumped, the dwarf¡¯s eyes going wide as Darian slashed. His sword cut into the man¡¯s ankle, and he tumbled to the ground. Landing, Darian sprang forward and plunged his sword downward. It pierced right through the dwarf¡¯s leather armor and the tip sank into the ground. Tearing his sword free, Darian searched the canopy for the remaining crossbowman, but he couldn¡¯t find any trace of him. All that remained was the silent hum of the healing roots and the low drone of wind through the forest. Alistair shuffled forward on shaky legs, his skeleton marching at his back. He paused before the dead necromancer, his brow upturned as he observed the blood dripping from Darian¡¯s chin. ¡°Hope he wasn¡¯t a friend of yours,¡± Darian said, wiping his mouth. ¡°Hardly,¡± Alistair replied. ¡°But he is only an apprentice. His master won¡¯t be far off and in our condition, a battle with him could prove troublesome.¡± ¡°Our?¡± Darian nodded at the forest. ¡°Planning on hanging around?¡± ¡°Until I¡¯m out of this forest, yes.¡± Alistair placed his hand against a tree, his face sweaty despite the cold. ¡°We need to start moving. More will be on us soon.¡± Darian walked past the necromancer and to Krast. The fairy sisters hovered above him, their wings frantically buzzing. ¡°I won¡¯t leave without them.¡± Darian knelt beside Jorg, the paladin seeming to be in a deep slumber. ¡°Stay and you¡¯ll most likely die,¡± Alistair said, leaning on his undead minion for support. ¡°The Deeproot will be here soon,¡± Tellal said, her voice edged by a mixture of fear and excitement. ¡°And she is a friend.¡± Alistair glared at the fairy. ¡°Fey do nothing without a price. So what is hers?¡± ¡°Doubt we¡¯ll have to wait long,¡± Darian said, rising to his feet. ¡°Someone is coming from the north. Steps are soft and deliberate, but they¡¯re moving quickly.¡± He turned toward the tunnel, the echo of boots coming from the entrance. ¡°But we¡¯ll have more company before she gets here.¡± He activated the temporary skill [Summon Horde] he¡¯d absorbed from the necromancer, summoning a mixture of low-level skeletons and zombies. He used them to form a barrier of bone and meat between the tunnel and his downed allies. ¡°You planning on helping?¡± Darian asked Alistair. ¡°You mentioned a bone golem while you were in the cell. How about you summon it?¡± Alistair shook his head. ¡°I fear that in my weakened state, that particular unique skill will drain me too much. I wouldn¡¯t be able to walk after using it.¡± ¡°I will protect you,¡± Darian assured, the men within the tunnel drawing closer. ¡°I promise.¡± The necromancer didn¡¯t seem fully convinced. But when he looked around, he seemed to realize his best chances of survival were to stay and fight, even if that chance was slim. ¡°Fine,¡± he said, the ground before him swirling in solid darkness. ¡°Just make sure to stay out of its way.¡± B2 Chapter 23 - The Deeproot From the inky depths came the bone golem. It erupted from the ground, its body a massive hunk of thick bone and claws. It stood nearly double Darian¡¯s height, its bulk blotting out the stars. And from its blocky skull blazed eyes filled with green fire. Looking upon it filled Darian with a strange dread, but then he noticed the dark aura around the monster. Some kind of fear inducing passive? But even if the beast didn¡¯t have such a skill, the sheer size and power it radiated would be enough to give him pause. The first dwarves to emerge from the tunnel were greeted by a wall of undead. Darian¡¯s triumph [Summoner¡¯s Gift] and his divine skill [Blood Lord] boosted his undead summons, meaning even the low-level creatures could still put up a fight. And while they clogged up around the entrance, Darian used [Arcane blade] to add his skill [Life Drain] to his sword. Several of the dwarves had glowing runes embedded in their pauldrons or on their shields. These sent shadows to flicker across the ground, and Darian used them to activate [Biting Swarm]. As his oily creations tore into the gathering of Warriors, Darian created mist from their blood, obscuring their vision as the undead closed in. Alistair stumbled forward and collapsed, landing face first on the ground. But before he did, Darian overheard the necromancer utter a single command to his hulking creation. ¡°Attack.¡± The bone golem lurched forward with surprising speed, trampling Darian¡¯s summons as it marched into melee. The first dwarf to face it was nearly torn in half as the golem¡¯s claws raked across his stomach. Another managed to crack the monster on the leg with a mace, but the beast lifted its leg and stomped, turning the dwarf into red paste. Darian rounded the bone golem and his remaining undead, his sword biting into a distracted dwarf¡¯s throat. As he died, Darian could feel the man¡¯s lifeforce drain through his sword and into Darian¡¯s body, healing his wounds. He activated the same set of skills again as he hacked into a dwarf¡¯s exposed arm, severing it at the elbow. The dwarves retreated into the tunnel, several of their corpses already strewn across the tunnel entrance. But the bone golem did not relent for even a moment. Its massive claws swung back and forth, severing limbs and rending armor. Darian had never witnessed such brute strength, and something about it set a fire to his heart. He roared forward, his blade coming down from overhead to smash into a shield. The man who held it stumbled back, and Darian pushed, the dwarf pitching into the dirt. A slash across the throat finished him, and Darian used his blood to send daggers into the leg of another target. The man grunted in pain, his fellow warriors continuing their retreat. He raised his oval shield, but a swift kick to the knee jolted him, and Darian was able to find an opening for his blade. The dwarf fell to his knees amidst a river of blood, his shoulder split open. Darian gripped him and hauled him up, then his fangs tore into his neck. As he drained him, the bone golem pressed past, the dwarves now completely pushed back into the tunnel. Satisfied, Darian tossed the drained corpse to the ground and wiped the blood from his chin. He turned to find Krast on his knees beside one of the bodies, feasting. But Darian could not blame him for losing control, not this time. There was more blood and gore upon the ground than Darian had ever witnessed, and his body begged him to lose control and drink until he couldn¡¯t stomach another drop. But the sound of boots upon the ground drew his attention away. Another group of dwarves were close, a second splinter sent off from their main caravan at the fort. He marched over the bodies, his boots sinking into the blood-soaked soil. And over the lake of blood before him he saw the first dwarf burst from the tree line, his face a twisted mask of rage. His body invigorated by his crimson thirst, Darian charged forward. But before he could reach his next meal, a pointed root exploded from the dirt and impaled the dwarf. Then the green mist, which had been slowly dissipating since its arrival, thickened. The air hummed with magic, and flowers sprang up across the clearing, filling the forest with the scent of summer. The trees, which were dead only moments prior, burst to life, their bark melting away the snow and their branches rustling with lush leaves. The impaled dwarf coughed, then the root ripped free of his body. He fell to both knees, his fellow warriors appearing behind him. But they didn¡¯t get far before a horde of gremlins materialized from the mist, their hungry maws directed at the dwarves¡¯ soft flesh. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. ¡°She is here,¡± Tellal whispered from behind Darian. ¡°The Deeproot.¡± The fey woman appeared from the haze, her body wreathed in leaves that formed the vague shape of a dress. Her face was tan, her hair a braid of dark, twisting roots. She glanced at Darian with eyes of the darkest black, and he felt as if something ancient and unownable had just taken his measure. ¡°Depart,¡± she commanded the dwarves, her voice flowing like a spring breeze. ¡°Or you will nourish my children.¡± Several of them heeded her warning, but just as many stayed, their weapons tearing apart wave after wave of gremlins. ¡°So be it.¡± The fey woman raised both her arms, and the forest came to life. The trees sprung up from the ground, parting in the middle to reveal gaping mouths. They bit down, tearing bodies in half. Then the flowers elongated, thorns bursting from them to needle the horrified warriors. Those who still didn¡¯t flee were assailed by stabbing roots, their scream cut off as the jaws of gremlins found their throats. In less than a minute, the entire group of dwarves was dead. ¡°Who are you?¡± Darian asked. The fey woman walked past him to observe the bone golem. The monster was tearing at the tunnel, desperately trying to fit inside. ¡°I must block this,¡± the woman whispered. ¡°Dispel your creature. It is no longer needed.¡± Darian was about to explain it wasn¡¯t his when he realized she was talking to Alistair. The necromancer sat up, his body almost too weak to move. ¡°Fine.¡± In a flash of grey fog, the bone golem disappeared. Then roots weaved out from the ground, blocking off the tunnel. ¡°They will get through eventually, and yet more are coming from the fort.¡± The woman looked into Darian¡¯s eyes. ¡°And I must ensure your safety.¡± ¡°My safety?¡± Darian backed away to Jorg and Isaac. Krast had recovered his senses and was standing nearby, his knife out. ¡°Yes.¡± Tellal and Lallet fluttered down to join the fey woman. As they did so, she reached out, the air parting as an oily black shadow appeared. From within it, she pulled out a small blue sphere. It pulsed with power, but a long crack along its side dimmed the brilliant azure light. ¡°What is that?¡± Darian felt a haunting sense of familiarity toward the object, like he¡¯d seen it somewhere before. ¡°A Conduit,¡± the woman responded. ¡°An artifact that can be used to summon your kind to this plane of existence. This one is damaged, but¡­¡± she held it up and toward Darian, the light within the object growing brighter the closer it became. ¡°It can sense Aspirants and Gods alike.¡± Darian glanced at his allies. ¡°What do you want with me?¡± ¡°To help you,¡± she flatly replied. ¡°But to do that, I must take you to the sanctuary. Come.¡± She strode past him, the fairy sisters close behind her. ¡°Never trust the fey,¡± Alistair whispered. She stopped. ¡°I am different among my kind. I will not trick you or do anything to bring you misfortune. Please trust that if I wished to harm you, I would have done so already.¡± Darian looked at the torn apart dwarves. Fair point. ¡°But what about my injured friends? I will not leave them here.¡± Just as he finished speaking, the roots pulled away from Jorg and Isaac. Then two creatures stepped out from the forest. They were large but in the shapes of men, with long arms that ended in what looked like giant thorns. ¡°My treekin will carry them.¡± Darian moved to block the two creatures. ¡°I need more information if I¡¯m going to trust you.¡± The fey nodded. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t have time to fully gain your trust. But I did help you with the previous battle. And besides,¡± she gestured at Jorg. ¡°Your large friend has a crossbow bolt still inside him, and we must remove it. But it is too close to his heart. My father can heal him without danger, but only if you come to the sanctuary with me.¡± ¡°I think we have to do what she says,¡± Krast said. ¡°Or else Jorg might not make it.¡± Darian looked down at the paladin. Despite the healing the fairy had provided, he didn¡¯t look any better. ¡°Fine,¡± Darian relented. ¡°But if you try and hurt them or me, I won¡¯t hesitate to do what needs to be done.¡± The fey smiled. ¡°As expected. But what of this one?¡± Alistair perked up. ¡°Me?¡± His head snapped toward Darian. ¡°You can¡¯t leave me like this. We had a deal.¡± Darian groaned, but the necromancer was right. ¡°He can come with us, but he¡¯s not one of my friends. If he proves too troublesome, feel free to handle him as you see fit.¡± ¡°I will have a third treekin carry him, then. Now,¡± She nodded at the fairy sisters, and they took to the skies. ¡°We must be off. The God of Seasons does not like to be kept waiting.¡± B2 Chapter 24 - Gateway Darian blinked. ¡°The God of seasons?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± the fey woman responded, another of her treekin materializing from the forest. ¡°He is my father.¡± Two of the treekin scooped up the unconscious Jorg and Isaac. The third lumbered toward Alistair and the necromancer glared at the wooden creature. But he didn¡¯t struggle as it worked its bladed arms beneath him and lifted. ¡°Please be still,¡± the fey woman suggested. ¡°Their blades secrete a deadly toxin.¡± ¡°Wonderful,¡± Alistair mumbled. ¡°You couldn¡¯t conjure up something a little less deadly?¡± ¡°Nothing large enough to carry you. We have a great distance to travel.¡± ¡°Will we reach it before the sun rises?¡± Darian asked, following the fey woman into the forest. ¡°We should,¡± she said, regarding him with her pitch-black eyes. ¡°I know of your¡­condition. It is why I came to meet you in the night. But I did not think our meeting would be in the middle of such bloodshed.¡± ¡°How do you know about my ¡®condition¡¯?¡± Darian asked, keeping a close eye on his companions. ¡°The fey see everything,¡± Krast whispered behind Darian, a touch of fear to his voice. ¡°My brother told me stories. They never ended well.¡± ¡°My kind do have our ways, but we have been watching you for some time, Darian. The methods are something you will have to ask my father about.¡± As they travelled further into the forest, a familiar screen appeared at the center of Darian¡¯s vision.
Enemies Defeated [Bronze Golems Lv. 6] x4 [Dwarves Lv. 5-10] x8 [Necromancer Lv. 11] XP Gained: 396 Progress to Class Level 12 (647/850)
Guess that means we¡¯re away from the fighting. He glanced over his shoulder. For now. ¡°Your father,¡± Darian started asking. ¡°What does he want from me? And what¡¯s your name, by the way? The fairy sisters called you the ¡®Deeproot¡¯.¡± She smiled for a moment, but the expression quickly melted away. ¡°The Deeproot is a title given by the fey queen to her wardens. I was one of the Deeproot, but I left her services some time ago. My true name is Almeda.¡± ¡°Well Almeda, you didn¡¯t answer all of my question.¡± She made a small sound, one only audible to Darian¡¯s ears, but it gave away her frustration. ¡°My father does not share all his plans with me. All I know is that he wishes to protect you and foster your growth. But to what end, I cannot say for certain.¡± ¡°As long as he truly can heal Jorg, I have no problems meeting him. But I make no promises to sticking around after that.¡± Almeda nodded. ¡°That is agreeable.¡± They walked in silence for a while after that, with Almeda leading them through the forest. The green mist that seemed to accompany the fey grew thicker as they traveled, and Darian could pick out the shapes and sounds of strange creatures within the haze. ¡°Where exactly are we going?¡± Darian eventually asked, noting that Krast was growing more nervous by the second. ¡°To the Sanctuary,¡± Almeda replied. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. ¡°Yes¡­but where is it? From what I¡¯ve been told, the fey are new to this area.¡± ¡°We are.¡± Darian waited for more, but it never came. I can¡¯t tell if she¡¯s missing the point on purpose or if this is just what she¡¯s like. He wanted to keep pressing her for information, but he decided to hold off for now. ¡°Will Jorg be alright?¡± Krast whispered, looking almost embarrassed for asking. ¡°Can¡¯t say for certain, but he¡¯s tough. I¡¯ve seen him take damage and come out the other side. But with the bolt being so close to his heart, things will be tricky.¡± He slowed his steps and gave the boy a firm pat on the shoulder. ¡°But with healing magic, I think he¡¯ll be fine. He¡¯s too stubborn to die.¡± Krast showed a rare smile. ¡°We¡¯ll need to give him blood too, don¡¯t forget about that.¡± Hard to forget about it when I¡¯m covered in it. But Krast was right. One good thing was the sanctuary had to be in the forest, meaning finding an animal to drain shouldn¡¯t prove to be difficult. But I¡¯m still not convinced this won¡¯t turn out to be a mistake. He looked between Almeda and Jorg. But even if I tried fighting her, I¡¯m not sure I could win. That fact needled at him. She used an inventory, so she¡¯s got to be a companion. He knew the gods and Aspirants of this realm were people from his world, but his last interaction with one wasn¡¯t exactly pleasant. He hoped this time would be different. Hours passed before the group paused. ¡°We must wait here,¡± Almeda said, surveying the clearing. Tellal fluttered away from Jorg. The sisters had taken turns healing the paladin after they returned from a short scouting trip. But even with their help, the path had been rough. The uphill climb through the mist-shrouded forest had jostled the wounded, and more than once they had to slow down for Jorg¡¯s sake. Isaac had awoken midway through their journey. The poor boy nearly had a panic attack when he realized he was being carried by a wooden monster. Krast had filled him in on what had happened since the battle, then reprimanded him for getting injured. Apparently Isaac had taken a blow meant for Krast, which Krast assured everyone would not have injured him as severely. He did end up thanking Isaac, even if it seemed difficult for him to do so. ¡°What are we waiting for?¡± Darian asked. They still had a good chunk of time before the sun would rise, but they shouldn¡¯t have stopped unless they truly needed to. ¡°There are many paths into the Sanctuary, and this is one.¡± Tellal and her sister hovered behind Almeda, looking upon the fey woman with reverence. ¡°No wonder we were drawn to this forest, sister,¡± Lallet said. ¡°To think we would meet a Deeproot and the God of Seasons in the same night.¡± ¡°How delightful,¡± Alistair mumbled. He¡¯d perked up a bit over the last few hours, and Darian figured the necromancer could walk if he chose to. But, despite his initial complaints, he seemed to enjoy being carried around. Darian approached the three women, Isaac and Krast keeping their distance. ¡°But where is the path?¡± He looked about. ¡°Is it underground?¡± ¡°No,¡± Almeda replied, staring ahead. ¡°It will be through a fey portal,¡± Lallet said. ¡°I¡¯ve heard stories of the Sanctuary. That it exists between the fey realm and this one. The only way to reach a place like that would be through magic.¡± ¡°You are correct.¡± Almeda turned her eyes to the ground. Everywhere she walked, the snow melted and plants returned to life. And as she stood still, flowers began to spring up around her, their scent filling the clearing. ¡°Portals¡­¡± Isaac whispered, his voice edged by fear. ¡°It is safe,¡± Almeda replied. ¡°Most of the time.¡± The center of the field rumbled, thick roots pushing from the earth. They continued to expand, twisting around themselves to form an arch about a man and a half tall. Then the air began to hum with magic, the entire clearing buzzing with energy. A sphere of yellow light appeared within the arch, slowly expanding until its edges met the twisting roots. ¡°The sanctuary lies beyond,¡± Almeda said. ¡°But the path will not stay open for long.¡± The fairy sisters flew into the golden portal without hesitation. Then the treekin carrying Jorg ducked its way though, its body vanishing into the shimmering light. Alistair came next, but the treekin forced him to walk through rather than be carried. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Isaac said, backing away. ¡°I don¡¯t know if I can do this.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t stay out here, Isaac. Where would you go?¡± Darian said, gripping the frightened boy by the arm. Isaac slowly nodded in agreement, but did not move. ¡°Scared?¡± Krast asked, clearly frightened himself. ¡°Well, I¡¯m not.¡± He marched up to the portal but then stopped. He stood there a while, studying the gateway. ¡°Just go through it,¡± Darian said. ¡°Before it closes.¡± Krast shook his head, but then stepped through. Isaac followed soon after, but took a little encouragement. With him gone, only Darian and Almeda were left. ¡°Are you freighted?¡± she asked, stepping up beside him. ¡°Of the portal? No. But I¡¯d be lying if I said I wasn¡¯t worried about what is on the other side.¡± She smiled. ¡°You will understand soon, but my father only wishes the best for you. He has awaited your coming for some time.¡± ¡°You make it sound prophetic.¡± ¡°Perhaps it is, perhaps it is not. All are things you will discover soon.¡± Darian didn¡¯t exactly love how cryptic Almeda was being, but he¡¯d come too far to turn back now. And so with a final moment of apprehension, he entered the portal. B2 Chapter 25 - The Sanctuary The portal felt to Darian like walking through a barrier made of syrup. The air stuck to his skin, and he closed his eyes as he pressed into the light. Pausing for a moment, he felt his body being tugged forward by an unseen force. Something like wind brushed his cheek, and then everything faded away. *** Heat pressed against Darian¡¯s face, bright light nearly blinding him as he opened his eyes. The warmth reminded Darian of one thing, something he had nearly forgotten the feeling of. Sunlight. He reflexively recoiled from the ball of fire in the sky. Covering his face, he was sure he would erupt into flames at any moment. But then seconds passed, and his eyes adjusted to the brightness. The light in the sky was not the sun, but some kind of massive sphere. And blinking at it, Darian realized there was no sky, but instead the top of a massive wooden dome. He was standing in an enclosure, walls about a man and half tall forming a semi-circle around him. These short walls seemed to be separating the massive chamber into sections. Both them and the high ceiling were made out of twisting vines and thick, winding wood. The sphere was embedded far above at the center of the dome, radiating warmth that filled Darian with a sense of loss. Darian was standing on the other side of an archway. The portal still hummed to life behind him, and he noticed five other arches along the walls, but these lay dormant. Besides these, several hedge lined tunnels split off from the enclosure. ¡°Good day,¡± a cheery voice said. Darian nearly jumped at the man¡¯s voice, having been so distracted by the scenery. ¡°Hello¡­¡± The man was only a man from the waist up, his bottom half being that of a goat. I think these are called satyrs? ¡°Your friends arrived a few minutes before you,¡± the satyr explained. ¡°The wounded were taken to be healed, and the others are being shown to their quarters.¡± ¡°A few minutes before me?¡± Darian questioned. ¡°But I went into the portal right after them.¡± The satyr ran a hand through his dark brown hair, and sighed. ¡°Traveling through a fey portal is not instant. It takes time to ferry a person across time and space.¡± He glanced over his shoulder at one of the hedge tunnels. ¡°One of your friends did not take well to this news and thought we were trying to trick him. He caused quite a commotion until his companion arrived.¡± He must be talking about Isaac and Krast. Krast came through first with Isaac going in behind him. ¡°I apologize. I think he¡¯s heard some bad stories about the fey and this situation has frightened him. The satyr smiled. ¡°Some fey see the mortal races as lesser and commit evil deeds against them, so I do not blame anyone for being afraid of us.¡± He chuckled. ¡°But it has been many years since someone took a swing at me like that. Your young friend is quite spirited.¡± Darian groaned. ¡°I¡¯ve been needing to have a chat with him about that. Guess I¡¯ll get to it after I¡¯m done here.¡± ¡°The boy has a potential,¡± the satyr explained. ¡°Foster it, and one day he could prove to be a useful ally on the battlefield.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll keep that in mind.¡± Darian strode forward and down a short series of stone steps. Besides the satyr, there was no one else in the enclosure. But Darian could hear not only the distant call of bird song, but the sound of dozens of voices. Many of these were singing, and over the top rim of the walls Darian spotted fairies darting in and out of massive trees that lay in chambers beyond. This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡°Where exactly is this place?¡± he asked, wondering just how massive it was. With his enhanced vision, he could tell the far wall of the dome had to be several miles away. ¡°Someone said it was in between realms, but what does that mean?¡± The satyr motioned for Darian to follow him. ¡°This place was nothing but an empty void before our master, The God of Seasons, arrived here. With his new sun, he brought life to the darkness.¡± ¡°So behind these trees and vines, there¡¯s nothing?¡± ¡°Precisely,¡± the man said, pausing at one of the tunnels. ¡°There is a nearly infinite sea of Darkness all around the sanctuary, but the enchanted walls keep it at bay. But such magic comes at a heavy cost.¡± Darian was about to ask what he meant when the portal shimmered and Almeda appeared. In the light of the fake sun above, she looked less alien than she did in the forest, and she smiled genuinely as she approached. ¡°Zander,¡± she said, nodding at the satyr. ¡°Have the others been tended to?¡± ¡°They have,¡± he replied with a bow. ¡°And the severely wounded man has been brought to your father for healing.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Almeda turned to Darian. ¡°Then we should go see him.¡± ¡°Be seeing you,¡± Zander said, clapping Darian on the shoulder with surprising force. ¡°The portal should close on this side soon,¡± Almeda said. ¡°But be vigilant. Our enemies will look for any opportunity to slip inside.¡± Zander bowed and then walked to stand a few paces in front of the portal, his hands crossed behind his lower back. ¡°Expecting company?¡± Darian asked as he followed Almeda through the tunnel. ¡°Atarax the demon God has been harassing us fiercely these past few months, and his children are always trying to find a way into the sanctuary.¡± Darian glanced back at Zander, noting the man didn¡¯t carry any weapons. ¡°Will he be alright on his own? Especially if one of these demons shows up?¡± Almeda snickered. ¡°Zander has been my father¡¯s companion for centuries and nothing short of a small army or the demon God himself could make it past his fists. Besides,¡± she gestured at the walls. ¡°Many treekin slumber here. If the sanctuary is ever truly threatened, they will rise to defend it. We are safe here. Well, as safe as one can be during these tumultuous times.¡± The tunnel opened up to something like a street. It wound down a path edged by berry bushes and trees. Many of these trees had doors built into them, and Darian realized these must be the dwellings of the fey. ¡°How many fey live in the sanctuary?¡± ¡°Hundreds,¡± she answered. ¡°Most here are outcasts. The fey queen she¡­has not been well this past century. But those she casts aside find a home here.¡± She smiled at a few satyr women who sang from a balcony above. ¡°And there are people of other races here. Humans, elves, dwarves, and one rather stalwart orc.¡± Walking along the path, several fey stopped to greet Almeda. Being out in the light made Darian uncomfortable, and he found himself shrinking away whenever Almeda paused to speak to someone. But everyone here, they all seem so happy. Darian had set off from Fria¡¯s village to explore the world, but also to find a safe place for vampires to exist. And fey blood, it doesn¡¯t trigger our thirst. He¡¯d realized that after fighting the winter fey. He didn¡¯t know if it was because fey originated from another world, but their blood did not offer sustenance or temptation to vampires. Maybe this place could house me and my kind. He blinked up at the fake sun. Or maybe her father can teach me to make my own sanctuary. They traveled for nearly an hour before reaching a tunnel ringed by guards. Many of these were the treekin Darian had already seen, but others were fey like Almeda, with dresses made of leaves and braided hair made of vines or roots. Besides them, several fairies hovered above, and Satyrs with bows sat perched in treetop platforms along the path they¡¯d taken to get here. ¡°My father waits for you beyond these doors,¡± Almeda said. ¡°Please be patient with him. He can be a bit¡­off depending on his mood.¡± Darian inspected the oak double doors. ¡°Will Jorg still be in there?¡± ¡°My father has likely already healed him. He will be with your other friends.¡± She stepped back. ¡°And he wished to speak to you alone.¡± That¡¯s slightly foreboding. ¡°Anything I should know before heading in there?¡± Almeda tilted her head to the side. ¡°Just be respectful. And know that you are not a prisoner here. Any offer he makes can be rejected. That is all I can think of.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Darian placed his palms against the door, the guards watching him with keen eyes. ¡°Please tell my friends I¡¯m here, if you don¡¯t mind.¡± ¡°I can do that.¡± ¡°Alright then,¡± Darian whispered to himself. I guess it¡¯s time I meet a God. He pushed the doors open and stepped into the dim light beyond. B2 Chapter 26 - God of Seasons The tunnel slowly descended, the walls and ceiling made from the same roots and bark as the other structures in the sanctuary. A faint light grew ahead, and heat pressed against Darian¡¯s skin, blowing through as if carried by a gentle breeze. The scent of wildflowers touched his nose, accented by the sweetness of pine. When the ground eventually leveled out, he was faced with another set of doors, but these were already open, inviting him deeper. Beyond lay a circular chamber with a small golden sphere affixed to the center of the ceiling. It radiated the same light and energy as the larger one outside, highlighting the yellow petals of the flowers which grew freely throughout the room. But Darian¡¯s attention was quickly drawn to the throne, and the God who sat upon it. The throne was made of twisting and knotted roots, bits of leaves poking between the wood. Sitting on it was a dark-skinned man clothed in white robes, the edges shimmering gold from some kind of enchantment. His face was clean shaven, but his hair was a braided expanse of dark orange leaves, a streak of white down the right side. He looked to be in his mid-forties, with wrinkles puckering around his eyes as he squinted at the vampire before him. ¡°Greetings,¡± the God of Seasons said, his voice deep. ¡°I wasn¡¯t sure you would come, but I¡¯ve been told you¡¯d found yourself in quite the predicament.¡± He chuckled, then clutched his left side as his face shifted momentarily to a pained grimace. Darian looked into the God¡¯s glowing, yellow eyes as he replied. ¡°I was told you could heal one of my allies. I had to come.¡± ¡°And rest assured, your friend has already been seen to.¡± The God studied Darian for a moment. ¡°You must value your allies greatly. What if this was a ruse? Or a trap of some kind?¡± ¡°Your daughter slaughtered a whole group of warriors by herself, and it took her less than a minute. If you wanted me dead or harmed, she certainly could have done it on her own.¡± He smiled. ¡°Does her strength bother you?¡± ¡°No,¡± Darian lied. ¡°It should.¡± the God frowned, power radiating off him. ¡°You are an Aspirant, yet you flounder about like a lost child. It¡¯s a wonder someone hasn¡¯t killed you already.¡± Doing his best to remain stalwart, Darian stepped forward. ¡°Did you bring me here just to insult me?¡± ¡°Hardly.¡± The God relaxed, his face softening. ¡°But you do not understand what you are, not truly. Or the danger you are in.¡± ¡°I know the other Aspirants are probably gunning for me,¡± Darian said. ¡°But none of them should know where I am or where I¡¯m going.¡± ¡°This is true, but it¡¯s not the Aspirants that should trouble you.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± The God of Seasons produced a staff from his inventory. Leaning on it for support, he slowly rose to his feet, his face pulled tight around a pained frown. ¡°The Gods, blood Aspirant. They are what should frighten you.¡± He limped forward, his staff gripped tightly in his hands. ¡°With two of the Aspirants slain, those who remain will have drawn divine attention. And the Gods who have chosen Aspirants to shepherd into divinity will not take kindly to those who stand in the way of their ambitions.¡± ¡°There was an elf I spoke to. A man named Aurel. He told me the Gods are readying themselves for some kind of war. I guess they plan on using the Aspirants to their advantage?¡± The God of Seasons stopped a few paces away. ¡°You are correct. They each have likely chosen an Aspirant to aid. After all, having an extra God on your side would be a mighty boon.¡± Darian crossed his arms over his chest. ¡°Is that why you sent Almeda to find me? Do you want me to fight on your side in this coming war?¡± ¡°Maybe, if it comes to that. But what I want from you is something else. Something grander.¡± He grinned, his eyes alight with either passion or insanity. Maybe both. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± The God of Seasons gestured for Darian to follow him. ¡°Your Divine skill, it allows you to create vampires, does it not?¡± ¡°How do you know about my divine skill?¡± Darian asked. ¡°I will explain that soon. But your divine skill is why you are here.¡± He hobbled toward the wall on the right side of the room. As he approached, the winding wood parted, and a new tunnel appeared. ¡°There was another whose potential interested me, but when you killed her, I was left with only one option.¡± ¡°Victoria,¡± Darian mumbled, his battle with the Grave Aspirant flashing through his mind and quickening his pulse. ¡°Her power, if nourished and given time to grow, would have eclipsed even that of Atarax and his army of demon spawn. Imagine someone with the power to command undead Aspirants and Gods?¡± He started down the tunnel. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. ¡°Would something like that even be possible?¡± ¡°Normally no. The divine essence within our souls and bodies would never allow necromancy to work. But a divine skill to raise the dead? That could make the impossible a reality.¡± Darian followed the God to another set of double doors, these made of dark metal. ¡°Null ore,¡± Darian mumbled. The God of Seasons produced a black key from his inventory. ¡°Gathering this much took many years, but it was the only way to contain the relic¡¯s power.¡± Darian thought he meant the massive hunk of metal standing before them, but then he slid the key into the lock and pushed the doors open. ¡°Welcome to the Augur of Divinity.¡± The room was nearly pitch black, the only light coming from within a raised platform in the center of the room. The walls and ceiling were completely flat and made of darkened metal that sent an odd shiver down Darian¡¯s spine. The God of Seasons shuffled inside, Darian following close behind. Stepping into the room, a tingling sensation washed over Darian, and he could tell his powers were being suppressed. Shimmering blue water sat inside the chest high platform that dominated the center of the chamber. It lay perfectly still, but as the God of Seasons approached, the liquid began to rise up and take shape, solidifying into the images of seven people. ¡°The Augur is one of the ten divine treasures,¡± The God of Season¡¯s explained. ¡°It is powerful on its own, dangerously so. But it allows one who posses the right tools and knowledge to predict and understand events yet to come.¡± Darian peered into the pool, noticing one of the seven shapes looked just like him. ¡°So it allows you to see the future?¡± ¡°In a sense.¡± The God reached into his inventory and produced a small, leather-bound tome. ¡°But on its own, it is quite difficult to use.¡± He opened the tome, purple light flowing from the pages. ¡°This is another divine relic, the Tome of Knowing. Without it, understanding the Augur with accuracy would be impossible.¡± ¡°Is this how you knew about my divine skill?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± He thumbed through the tome, arcane writing etched bright purple onto the pages. ¡°I will spare you the details, but with the Augur and the tome, my mind is given information on whatever I survey. While it can¡¯t let me know everything, it does let me keep track of anyone with divine power. I¡¯ve been using it survey the Aspirants.¡± He grunted ¡°Well, most of them.¡± He pointed at the pool. ¡°Eight of you live, yet there is someone missing.¡± ¡°I noticed that.¡± Darian inspected the other Aspirants. Three looked human, but the other three were oddly shaped. One even had a pair of leathery wings sprouting from their back. ¡°My agents have searched for this missing Aspirant, and have come back to me with tales of a white haired boy in Lonelen. One who is already calling himself the ¡®Lord of Light¡¯.¡± ¡°Aurel, that is the Aspirant he serves. He wanted to recruit me into some kind of alliance.¡± The God of Seasons chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re lucky he didn¡¯t kill you while he had the chance. But he¡¯s always been a naive fool.¡± The pool shifted again, but the water struggled to form a new image. ¡°What¡¯s curious is the fact I can¡¯t see this light Aspirant with the Augur, and the Tome of Knowing is coming back blank. This should be impossible.¡± Darian recalled his conversation with Aurel and how the elf said there were ways to manipulate the system. But before he could share this information, the God of Seasons began violently coughing. ¡°Are you alright?¡± Darian asked, moving to the God¡¯s side. He waved Darian away, his left hand cradling his ribs. ¡°There are some wounds which can never be healed, even by a God.¡± He straightened his back, his knuckles white against his walking staff. ¡°But my condition means my days of fighting are behind me.¡± Growing impatient, Darian decided to ask the question he had come seeking an answer for. ¡°What is it you want from me?¡± He stared into the God¡¯s eyes. It was time for him to know the real reason he was brought to the sanctuary. ¡°Your race, you are classified in the system as an undead.¡± He raised the Tome of Knowing up and inspected Darian. ¡°And your divine skill allows you to make others into vampires.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve said this already,¡± Darian reminded, starting to get a little frustrated. ¡°Do you recall what I said about Victoria? Raising the body of a dead God or Aspirant is impossible without the authority of a divine skill. But using divine necromancy would still leave the original soul behind. And it is in the soul that our divine powers lie.¡± Darian leaned against the Augur. ¡°Where are you going with this?¡± He grinned. ¡°To become an undead, the system will first, even if temporarily, classify you as being dead. Meaning, each person you turn into a vampire will die before becoming one.¡± He shuffled closer, that mad gleam back in his eyes. ¡°And tell me, Aspirant, what must you do to ascend to godhood?¡± ¡°Kill the other Aspirants,¡± Darian stated. ¡°But what might happen if they are dead, but then revived by a divine skill? What would the system do when all are gone, and only you remain? Normally new divine power would be granted to you and you alone as the remaining Aspirant. But if the others are vampires, undead who posses souls, would they too be granted godhood?¡± Darian thought about it for a moment, but could not reach a definitive answer. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± he finally replied. ¡°Neither does the system.¡± His face grew stern, his lips drawn into a hard line. ¡°And that is what I want from you, Darian. To find the other Aspirants and either by force or choice, turn them into vampires.¡± ¡°But why?¡± Darian asked, still not sure what the God of Seasons was after. ¡°How does that help you? What would that accomplish?¡± ¡°Everything,¡± he said, sadness and rage flashing across his face. ¡°For hundreds of years people have been summoned here and forced to kill each other. Over and over, the cycle has remained unbroken. And now we face even more bloodshed. We tried to stop it once and we failed. But with your power, I see a way out.¡± His eyes narrowed and he stepped closer. ¡°Darian,¡± he said, standing tall and proud before the Aspirant of Blood. ¡°I want you to break the system.¡± B2 Chapter 27 - A Purpose Out of everything Darian thought the God of Seasons would want from him, breaking the system wasn¡¯t on the list. ¡°Is that even possible?¡± he asked. ¡°And why would you want me to do that?¡± The God of Seasons waved a hand at the Augur, and the water shifted and formed into the visage of a desolate battlefield, corpses piled by the thousands across the bloody expanse. ¡°This is our future,¡± he said, sadness dripping from his voice. ¡°If nothing changes, the coming war will tear this realm apart. The Gods have fought many times, but nothing on this scale. And even if one of us stands tall over the others, what then? The conduits will continue to summon new Aspirants, who will rise to become new Gods. A cycle without end.¡± He turned sharply, his staff tapping on the metal floor. ¡°But I¡¯ve seen the cracks in the system. And through those cracks, I saw a way out.¡± He waved his hand again, the water returning to the show the seven forms of the Aspirants. ¡°If you make an Aspirant a vampire, they will be dead temporarily. This will raise the other Aspirants¡¯ level caps and get them a step closer to true divinity. But then they will rise as a vampire, an undead whose divine soul will still be intact. Once all the other Aspirants are vampires and only you remain, the system will attempt to imbue your soul with incredible power, making you a God.¡± His lips curved into a wicked smile. ¡°But the others will still technically be ¡®alive¡¯. Once the system begins the process of your ascension, it will recognize the others are still ¡®living¡¯ and attempt to ascend all of you at once. Doing so will overload the system, and I will be able to destroy it for good.¡± Darian stood motionless, not sure if the God was simply insane, or maybe just delusional. ¡°How do you know this would even work? I¡¯m the first vampire, as far as I know. How can you be so sure the system would react like you expect it to?¡± The God of Season raised the Tome of Knowing up, purple light blinking between the closed pages. ¡°The system has not always existed in this world. It was brought here by someone. And the Tome and the Augur predate the coming of the system, and they have shown me how I might destroy it.¡± ¡°The book and Augur,¡± Darian said. ¡°Showed you this?¡± He gestured at the pool. ¡°You might think I¡¯m mad,¡± he said, a little dejected. ¡°But even if I am, would it not benefit you to join me? Whether you like it or not, you¡¯ve a target on your back. Without my help, the other Gods and Aspirants will come for you, and they will kill you.¡± ¡°I can handle myself,¡± Darian assured, his pride flaring. ¡°Not against the Gods or their companions. To them you are nothing more than a gnat. But we can change that. We can make you strong.¡± Darian considered the Gods words, doubt and worry nipping at him. But if he could help him grow stronger, he would consider staying. ¡°I¡¯m not entirely convinced turning the other Aspirants into vampires will give you what you want,¡± Darian said. ¡°But it¡¯s true that I stand no chance fighting the Gods on my own. If you can help make me strong enough to survive them, I will stay. But this is a partnership, and I will not be lied to or manipulated. If I ever catch a hint of deception, our time together will be at an end.¡± The God of Seasons nodded, then tucked his staff into his elbow and placed the Tome of Knowing back into his inventory. Then he extended his hand. ¡°A fair deal. I will help you, and in turn you will aid in my plans.¡± Darian reached forward and took the God¡¯s hand. ¡°My true name,¡± the God said, smiling. ¡°Is Rafael. Please feel free to use it when we are alone.¡± With a shake, Darian pulled his hand away. ¡°Rafael,¡± he mumbled. ¡°And when you say ¡®true name¡¯, do you man your name from Earth?¡± Rafael nodded. ¡°Most of the others changed their names after they became Gods. But my mother gave me this name, and it is the only thing I have to remember her by.¡± He whispered something in what Darian believed was Spanish, then turned for the door. ¡°Come,¡± he said. ¡°We still have much to discuss.¡± *** Darian dismissed his character sheet. ¡°That¡¯s about it.¡± Rafael leaned forward, placing his elbow on the small oak table between them. ¡°Aspirants come in two varieties,¡± he explained. ¡°Those who are given powerful unique skills, and those who are gifted enhanced attributes. You seem to be part of the later.¡± He waved for one of his servants to bring them more tea. ¡°That¡¯s not to say you won¡¯t get strong skills, just that your attributes are the main thing that sets you apart from others. For example, your attributes are nearly double what mine where at your level, but I had access to powerful unique magic.¡± Darian sipped from the wooden teacup. They were sitting in a side room within Rafael¡¯s home, which was carved out from the insides of a massive tree. An open window across from them filled the room with golden light, and Darian for nearly the first time since coming to this world felt a sense of peace. He reclined in his chair, his new clothes chafing a little around the shoulders. ¡°Your class skills are a little sporadic,¡± Rafael continued. ¡°But they can be fixed with that divine essence you have. Beyond that, you must start clearing your quests.¡± Rafael had poured over Darian¡¯s character sheet, classes, unique skills, and quests with a fine-toothed comb. Apparently, the system would only issue someone a limited number of quests and since Darian hadn¡¯t completed any in a while, the system wouldn¡¯t be issuing him any new ones. ¡°The most important thing for you to do right now is complete your quests. Especially the quest ¡®Nightlord¡¯.¡± Darian brought the quest back up, the screen blinking to life a few inches from his face.
Quest: Nightlord Objective: Create fifty vampires. (6/50)
¡°Your divine skill, ¡®Blood Lord¡¯ is still in its fledgling state,¡± Rafael said. ¡°You need to do these quests to add more subskills to it. Until you complete ¡®Nightlord¡¯, you¡¯re going to be stagnating your skill progression.¡± Darian fiddled with the white cuff of his new shirt, the time he spent in Fria¡¯s village flashing before his eyes. ¡°Can I really justify turning more people into vampires?¡± he asked, thinking about Krast in particular. ¡°I¡¯m lucky none of them have gone on a blood hungry rampage yet. But if I make more and more, it could spiral out of control.¡± Rafael thought on this for a moment, his fingers picking at the ends of his leafy hair. ¡°While I appreciate that you¡¯re concerned,¡± he said. ¡°It¡¯s required for you to continue to grow. For the sake of the realm, sacrifices need to be made. But,¡± the table creaked as he leaned forward. ¡°The quest, nor your divine skill, specifies what can and cannot be made into a vampire.¡± Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. ¡°The only thing I¡¯ve turned so far are humans, but you¡¯re right.¡± He smiled, excitement swelling in his veins. ¡°But what about animals? Or other races?¡± Rafael grabbed his walking staff and pulled himself to his feet. ¡°It sounds like we need to experiment.¡± His servant returned, a woman whose race Darian now knew were called nymphs. ¡°We will not be needing more tea,¡± Rafael told her. ¡°But please fetch my daughter and Obern. I have need of them.¡± The small nymph woman bowed, then left the room. ¡°Before we do anything else,¡± Darian said, rising to his feet. ¡°I wish to see my friends.¡± ¡°That is fine.¡± Rafael hobbled to the window and looked out at the sanctuary below. ¡°I will send a fairy for you once everything is ready.¡± He turned, a hopeful gleam in his eye. ¡°We are about to do great things together.¡± ¡°I sure hope so,¡± Darian said, heading for the door. He found a red-haired satyr woman standing just outside. She smiled when she saw him. ¡°I am Lucia,¡± she said, bowing. ¡°And I will be your guide.¡± ¡°She will take you to the south commons,¡± Rafael added. ¡°Feel free to have her show you around the sanctuary later, if it pleases you.¡± Darian nodded, then followed Lucia down a flight of winding stairs. ¡°I have not seen the God of Seasons in such a good mood in many years,¡± Lucia said, grinning. ¡°Not since the birth of his third daughter.¡± ¡°Third?¡± Darian questioned. ¡°How many children does he have?¡± Lucia¡¯s face darkened for a moment, but then her smile returned. ¡°That is a question better left for him to answer.¡± When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Lucia led Darian outside. There they took a wide street that passed various homes, some made of wood, others of stone. Fey of all kinds filled the streets, most looking rather peaceful, but others cast Darian sideways glances. Eventually they passed what looked like a training ground and Darian stopped as he overheard the clash of steel. ¡°What is that?¡± Darian asked, nudging his head at the arched stone gate. The area was sectioned off by tall wooden walls, but Darian could make out the shapes of small building beyond the gate. ¡°That is where we ready ourselves for the battlefield,¡± Lucia answered, pausing as giant man approached them from down the street. He was green skinned, nearly double Darian¡¯s height, and had arms and legs bristling with muscle. A massive sword was slung over his shoulder, but the thing almost looked like a short sword in the man¡¯s grip. ¡°Yazliar,¡± Lucia said with a curt nod. ¡°As I¡¯ve said.¡± The massive man¡¯s voice was harsh and full of gravel. ¡°Please call me Yaz.¡± Yazliar? I swear I¡¯ve heard that name somewhere before. Darian looked up at the hulking orc. ¡°What¡¯s an orc doing here at the sanctuary?¡± He shrugged his giant sword off his shoulder and buried the end of it in the dirt beside the road. ¡°Could ask the same thing about¡­whatever it is you are.¡± ¡°He is here by our God¡¯s request,¡± Lucia cut in, gesturing at the orc. ¡°Seems like we¡¯re in a similar boat, then. I¡¯m Darian.¡± He extended his hand. Yazliar looked at Darian¡¯s hand like he didn¡¯t know what to do with it. ¡°I am Yazliar, the Blade Breaker. And I do not converse with weaklings.¡± Darian let his hand fall back to his side. ¡°Well, I don¡¯t see any of those around here.¡± He smiled. ¡°Please,¡± Lucia said. ¡°There is no need for such friction. You are both guests.¡± Yazliar snorted, then plucked his blade from the ground. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I don¡¯t plan on trying anything. Not after last time.¡± He stepped forward and glared at Darian. ¡°But if you ever wish to prove yourself, step into the pit with me. Win, and maybe I¡¯ll think about shaking your hand.¡± Then he grunted and walked around them, his heavy steps taking him to the training ground beyond the archway. Once he was gone, Darian turned to Lucia. ¡°What¡¯s his problem?¡± She sighed. ¡°I believe he sees you as a worthy opponent,¡± she said. ¡°He did the same thing when he arrived here to the gate guard Zander. He would likely have continued taunting you until you fought him if I was not here.¡± Darian followed Lucia down the street. ¡°Did Zander end up fighting him?¡± Almeda had told him the guy could apparently take on a small army by himself, but Darian had his doubts. And I can tell that orc is no joke. I¡¯m not even sure I could beat him in a straight fight. ¡°They did fight, if you could call it that,¡± Lucia said, pausing before a hedge tunnel. ¡°It ended after only a single strike, with Zander as the winner.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Darian glanced over his shoulder. Hard to believe a guy like that would go down after one hit. Lucia nodded at the tunnel. ¡°Your friends have been given the root home beyond this tunnel. You should find them within.¡± She stepped back. ¡°To ensure your privacy, I will remain out here until either you leave, or a message arrives for you.¡¯ ¡°Thank you,¡± Darian moved past her, wondering how the others were doing. The tunnel went on for a while, ending as it met a large oak doorway. Opening it, Darian stepped into what he guessed was a living room. Looks like this house is inside another tree. Wandering toward a hall on the other end of the room, he spotted someone lounging on a couch near the front door. ¡°And here I thought they¡¯d keep you longer,¡± Jorg said, pushing himself upright. ¡°Where are Krast and Isaac?¡± ¡°Asleep, surprisingly. Apparently all of this was bit much for the boys.¡± He chuckled. Darian grabbed a nearby chair and plopped it down opposite the paladin, noting he was sporting a new set of white clothing. ¡°I see the God of Seasons managed to nurse you back to health,¡± he said, easing into the chair. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t phrase it like that, but he did heal me.¡± He touched his chest. ¡°Told me I was lucky to be alive.¡± ¡°That bolt was close to your heart, so I think his assessment is accurate.¡± Jorg shook his head. ¡°Almost seems like I have someone watching over me.¡± ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± The paladin waved a dismissive hand at Darian. ¡°Nothing. Just feel blessed is all.¡± They sat for a few quiet moments before Darian worked up the courage to ask what was on his mind. ¡°Before the dwarves attacked,¡± he said, easing forward in his chair. ¡°You said someone instructed you to follow me.¡± Jorg looked to the floor and frowned. ¡°Aye, I did.¡± ¡°Who were you talking about?¡± The paladin did not answer. ¡°Jorg,¡± Darian said. ¡°You need to tell me.¡± He looked up, face strained like he was in great pain. ¡°You will think me mad.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard a lot of crazy things today,¡± Darian admitted. ¡°So if there ever was a time to talk about something strange, it would be now.¡± Jorg¡¯s shoulders slumped and for a moment Darian thought he was done talking. But then his brow drew downward, and he stared into Darian¡¯s eyes. ¡°When the plague began to ravage me,¡± he said. ¡°I thought I was going to die. And the man I¡¯d come to the village to speak to? Well, he died right beside me.¡± ¡°You¡¯re talking about Carver¡¯s father, aren¡¯t you?¡± Jorg nodded. ¡°I tried healing him, but that damn sickness took him. I could not save him, his son, not even the companions that came with me to that damned forest." His eyes glistened, a single tear working its way down his cheek. "I felt worthless and even contemplated ending my own life before I could die like all the others. But then a voice reached out to me. And through all the pain and sadness I was given a new purpose. A holy mission from my God.¡± ¡°Jorg,¡± Darian mumbled. ¡°You don¡¯t mean¡ª¡± ¡°I do.¡± The paladin squared his shoulders. ¡°Argus himself, Lord of Sunlight and God of Lonelen is who told me to follow you. He sent me visions of a horrible future, a world drowning in blood. But he said you could stop it. That by your hand, the other gods would die.¡± ¡°The other Gods? He thinks I¡¯m going to kill them?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Jorg said, madness in his eyes. ¡°And he told me where you would start.¡± B2 Chapter 28 - Visions Jorg relaxed, the crazed flash in his eyes fading. ¡°See,¡± he said, fidgeting with his hands. ¡°I do sound mad, don¡¯t I?¡± ¡°It does sound¡­strange,¡± Darian replied. ¡°You say you saw visions?¡± ¡°Several.¡± The Paladin¡¯s eyes drifted away, narrowing as memories passed through his mind. ¡°And I heard Argus¡¯ voice. It reached out to me as I lay dying on the floor. He showed me the terrible future that awaited us.¡± ¡°And you¡¯re sure these things were real?¡± When Darian found Jorg, he was bleeding from the eyes and his skin was burning hot. That kind of fever and that kind of stress could lead a man to see anything. ¡°I¡¯ve asked myself that many times, but what I felt, what I saw¡­it was real.¡± Jorg wiped the wet from his eyes. ¡°He told me to follow you. That through you, I could help him stop the coming death and destruction.¡± ¡°By killing the Gods?¡± Jorg nodded sternly. Darian pushed up from his chair, nervous energy filling him. While he¡¯d seen plenty of odd things since coming to this world, he still doubted Jorg¡¯s claims. ¡°I know how this seems,¡± Jorg said, rising from the couch. ¡°But you don¡¯t need to believe me. I will continue to follow you until Argus has ordered me to stop.¡± ¡°You said a moment ago he showed you where I would start? What did you mean by that?¡± Jorg glanced at the door, then looked around. ¡°I only heard his voice for a brief while, but he said the second God you met would be the first to fall.¡± ¡°The second?¡± Darian had enough after meeting one. ¡°Yes. But even our host, this God of Seasons, must die if the world is to be saved. It is Argus¡¯ will.¡± Darian stood motionless for a moment, wondering what to say or do. Jorg had always had issues with his faith, but his fanaticism was dulled after their battle with Victoria. Yet now it seemed to be returning in full force. ¡°The God of Seasons has allowed us to stay here,¡± Darian eventually said. ¡°We are guests in his home. It would do you well to remember that.¡± Jorg huffed. ¡°He is one of the two fey Gods and cannot be trusted.¡± He stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. ¡°What does he want from you? Whatever it is, it will bring only ruin.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know him well enough to fully trust his intentions, but I can sense he doesn¡¯t wish to cause us harm.¡± ¡°He might not wish to cause you harm, but what about the rest of us?¡± Darian wasn¡¯t sure what to say to that. ¡°For now,¡± he continued. ¡°You should keep your talk of Argus between the two of us.¡± ¡°Worried I¡¯ll spoil things for you?¡± Jorg smiled, but it didn¡¯t quite reach his eyes. ¡°I understand.¡± He walked over and plopped back on the couch, his shoulders sagging in defeat. ¡°Can I trust you won¡¯t try anything?¡± Darian asked, staring down at the paladin. Jorg chuckled, the sound dry and desperate. ¡°What could I do alone? No, you¡¯ll get no trouble from me. But I would ask to stay beside you for what is to come. With time, you may see Argus¡¯ wisdom.¡± ¡°Is that really the only reason you¡¯re still here? Just because you think Argus told you to follow me?¡± Jorg¡¯s face grew tight, his mouth a thin frown. ¡°When soldiers are shoved down in the mud, when their hopes are drowned and the enemy is closing in, do you know what they do?¡± Darian shook his head. ¡°They fall back on their training, and I was trained to follow orders.¡± He nodded as if he¡¯d just remembered something important. ¡°One of the fey told me you were having a meeting with their God. Now I don¡¯t know what the two of you talked about or what you¡¯re planning, and I don¡¯t wish to get in your way. But whatever you¡¯ve got going on Darian, just be sure you don¡¯t forget about us regular folk along the way.¡± Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. ¡°I don¡¯t plan on it.¡± Darian backed away to the exit. ¡°And I¡¯m fine if you stick around. But your faith, it can¡¯t cause problems here.¡± He thought about all the happy people he saw in the sanctuary, their smiles carefree and warm. ¡°Do you understand?¡± Jorg slowly nodded. ¡°Aye, I understand.¡± Darian waited there for a moment, but then he made his way down the tunnel. I¡¯ll have to have another chat with him later. If Jorg and his talk of Argus worsened, Darian would have to ask him to leave. But now that he¡¯s a vampire, I feel an odd¡­connection to him. Like a grumpy uncle that I never knew. Shaking his head clear, Darian emerged into the street. Lucia was still waiting outside, and she bowed as he approached. ¡°I did not expect you to return so soon.¡± She studied his face, her brow upturned. ¡°I hope your visit went well.¡± ¡°Oh it was wonderful,¡± Darian said, his nerves still a little on edge. ¡°Lucia?¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Argus, the Sun God. He¡¯s dead, right?¡± The satyr looked a bit confused at the sudden question, but then she regained her composure. ¡°He died some years back in Lonelen¡¯s first war with the demons,¡± she explained. ¡°As the story goes, he faced Atarax the Demon God in single combat and was slain.¡± ¡°But that¡¯s just the story? You don¡¯t know for sure?¡± Lucia cocked her head to the side. ¡°My master was watching the battle. If you want an accurate account, he would be the best person to ask.¡± ¡°Thank you, Lucia. I¡¯ll be sure to talk to him about it when I get the chance.¡± He felt his limbs begin to weaken, sleep creeping up on his mind. But I don¡¯t want to go back in there. Not yet. ¡°Well,¡± Darian said, cupping his hands together. ¡°It seems I¡¯m not needed anywhere right now. Why don¡¯t you show me around the sanctuary? If you don¡¯t mind, of course.¡± ¡°I do not mind,¡± Lucia said with a smile, her hooves clopping against the stone road. Darian fell in beside her, noting the streets were clearing out. ¡°There is no night in the sanctuary,¡± Lucia explained, sensing Darian¡¯s confusion. ¡°But summer fey still sleep during the night, and winter fey during the day. Most of the fey you have seen are winter fey and their time of slumber approaches.¡± Darian looked the half goat woman up and down. ¡°And what about your kind?¡± ¡°Think of us more like humans in that regard. We are more likely to follow the whims of our routines, but most sleep during the night.¡± So many different kinds of fey. He watched a man and woman, both looking like they were made of wood, scramble into a home together, both of them laughing. I wonder what Fria is doing right now? *** Fria stroked the cow on the back of the neck. Poor thing had been pulling double time since Darian and the others left. Nathaniel and Beatrice were drinking the same amount of blood they did at first, but Fria¡¯s mother needed more and more. ¡°At least I finally paid for you,¡± Fria said, rising from her stool. The farmer she stole the cow from, Mr. Kyser, had been pretty angry at her once he discovered what she¡¯d done with his cow. But some smooth words from Fria¡¯s mother and some coins had set him right. Shivering, Fria made her way out of the barn. The night sky was a patchwork of grey clouds, but Fria could tell morning wasn¡¯t far off. A side effect of living with vampires, I guess. Besides one incident with Beatrice, the vampires in the village had managed to stave off their thirst. But besides Fria¡¯s mother, the others were only permitted inside the village under Fria¡¯s direct supervision. Good thing too, or Beatrice might have taken a bite out of her son. Zan was slumped against the back of the barn, his fur slowly rising and falling. He had a few bald patches here and there, silvery scars showing through. These were mementos of their time in the forest with Darian. I wonder what he¡¯s up to? The wolf lifted his head, his amber eyes blinking away the sleep. ¡°You might be covered in warm fur, but I sadly am not.¡± She beckoned the wolf to follow her. ¡°Let¡¯s get back to the house before Mother falls asleep.¡± Zan rose slowly, then shot to his feet, his hackles raised. He lowered his body and growled, his eyes narrowed at something behind Fria. She sprang forward and pulled her father¡¯s enchanted bow from her inventory. Rolling across the ground, she came up and retrieved an arrow. ¡°Please,¡± a woman¡¯s voice said from the darkness. ¡°I do not mean you harm.¡± Fria stuck three arrows into the frosted dirt, then dismissed her inventory. ¡°Who are you?¡± she asked, readying a fire enhanced shot. Zan inched forward, his lips peeled back. But then he sniffed the air, and his body slowly relaxed. The woman stepped forward, her body wrapped in thick furs. A hood obscured her face, but her golden hair peaked through, the strands radiating light. ¡°I¡¯ll ask again.¡± Fria pulled back her arm, her arrow ready to take flight. ¡°Who are you?¡± ¡°A question for a question,¡± the woman said. ¡°You are Fria Rostcliff, correct?¡± Fria did not answer. ¡°I see.¡± The woman sighed. ¡°Perhaps this will draw an answer from you.¡± The woman reached out and an oily black sphere formed. And from within her inventory, she pulled out a glowing, holy blade, the thick hilt carved with the initials R.R. It was her brother¡¯s sword. B2 Chapter 29 - The House of Innovation Darian and Lucia rounded a corner, the House of Innovation waiting for them down the street. ¡°It looks odd,¡± Darian said. ¡°In a place like this.¡± The building looked like a regular mansion, the kind he figured nobles lived in. But under the wooden dome of the sanctuary and beside the houses made from giant trees, it seemed extremely out of place. ¡°It is an odd place, in both appearance and function,¡± Lucia said, the hint of old annoyance in her voice. ¡°I take it you¡¯re not a fan?¡± Lucia sighed. ¡°The sanctuary is supposed to be a haven, a safe place for those discarded by the fey queen. But my master still allows The Society of all people to have a foothold here. It¡­unnerves me.¡± Darian had explored the sanctuary for about an hour before a fairy appeared with a message. Apparently, Raphael had already prepared everything for their first little experiment. And the location of this experiment was to be the House of Innovation. ¡°This is where we part,¡± Lucia said with a bow. ¡°Take care, Darian.¡± ¡°You too,¡± he replied with a smile. ¡°And don¡¯t let the owner of the house bother you. Palintross may be a supposed genius, but he is still a guest here. Same as you.¡± She smirked. ¡°Perhaps it is time someone reminded him of that fact.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll keep all of that in mind,¡± Darian replied. Then he waved his goodbyes and walked down the long gravel road. Place almost looks like it¡¯s from earth. Then as he got a little closer, he heard the familiar hum of electricity. What the hell? Curiosity fueling him, he reached the wide double doors within moments. Stone pillars stood beside him, their edges expertly carved with depictions of battles past. One appeared to show Argus, the sun glowing behind him as he took on an entire army single handed. The doors opened and an elven woman wearing a maid outfit appeared. ¡°Darian?¡± she asked. A little distracted, Darian nodded his head. ¡°Very good. This way please.¡± The interior of the mansion smelled of cedar, and a dozen different halls split off from the main entrance. Desperate not to get lost, Darian followed the maid down the winding halls. It was as they walked that Darian realized the overhead lights were not from runes or candles, but from lightbulbs. ¡°Is that electricity?¡± Darian asked. The maid, a tall young woman with braided blonde hair, smirked. ¡°Marvelous, isn¡¯t it? And it is but one of Palintross¡¯ many inventions.¡± ¡°I did hear the guy was a genius,¡± Darian mumbled. ¡°That word is too small for the master,¡± the maid replied. ¡°In fact, there is no word that encapsulates his brilliance.¡± I¡¯m starting to see why Lucia didn¡¯t come with me. They passed a few more maids as they walked, all of them elves and all wearing the same outfits. One or two of them stopped to say their greetings, but the others appeared too busy. Eventually they met a metal door flanked on both sides by a twisting staircase. The maid who¡¯d been leading Darian reached up and knocked on the door, the sound echoing against the sparsely decorated walls. ¡°He has arrived, master,¡± she said, her cheeks blushing. ¡°Very good Lil. You may leave us.¡± Lil bowed, then scampered back down the hall, her face bright red. ¡°Is she gone?¡± the man said. Darian listened for a moment. ¡°She¡¯s already back at the entrance.¡± The man chuckled. ¡°That¡¯s some damn fine hearing you have. Now, give me a moment and I¡¯ll get this door open.¡± The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. The sound of shuffling feet and the tap of a metal cane reached Darian¡¯s ears. Then came the loosening of bolts and locks. ¡°There we are,¡± the man said as he pushed open the door. ¡°I take it you¡¯re Palintross?¡± The short elven man adjusted his glasses and smiled. ¡°That I am, Darian the Blood Aspirant.¡± He was wearing a white button-up shirt and sported a matching set of black shoes, black slacks, and black suspenders. His grey hair was combed over a bald spot atop his head, and he hunched over a metal cane. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen someone dressed like you before,¡± Darian said. ¡°No one in this world, you mean?¡± He grinned. ¡°I know about you lot. The Gods, Aspirants, earth, all of it. It¡¯s how I built this place.¡± He waved at the grand building, the buzz of electricity still humming in Darian¡¯s ears. ¡°But I do think I need to readjust the maids. They¡¯ve been getting a little too excited when they see or speak to me. Makes working hard.¡± ¡°Readjust¡­them?¡± Palintross waved for Darian to follow him. ¡°They¡¯re not actually elves, in case you couldn¡¯t tell.¡± ¡°I couldn¡¯t,¡± Darian said, glancing over his shoulder as the metal door closed itself. ¡°Really? They didn¡¯t smell off to you? I guess I finally perfected the formula.¡± They walked down a narrow, darkened hall, the walls made of thick stone. Several other halls jutted off from the main one, various odd sounds coming from them. ¡°Raphael expects a lot from you, kid,¡± Palintross said. ¡°But I don¡¯t see the appeal, if I¡¯m being honest.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be glad to prove you wrong.¡± Palintross chuckled. ¡°I am never wrong.¡± They came to another locked metal door, this one twice the size of the last one. ¡°Afraid of someone breaking in?¡± Darian asked, noticing the arcane runes carved into the door. ¡°Or getting out, if one of the slimes doesn¡¯t take.¡± Slimes? The door rattled to life, opening on its own. Shuffling inside, Darian found himself in a massive circular chamber, a sewer grate built into the center of the floor. ¡°Welcome,¡± Raphael said, his staff tapping against the stone floor. ¡°What is this place?¡± Darian noticed the stains on the floor, and his nose twitched at the scent of blood. ¡°A room for innovation and experimentation of course,¡± Palintross replied. Raphael sighed. ¡°Palintross, please fetch the subjects.¡± The old elf grumbled something to himself, then worked his way out of the room, closing the big door behind him. ¡°I thought you were ready for me?¡± Darian asked. Raphael winced as he hobbled closer. ¡°Small complication finding a satyr willing for the experiment. I have many I could order to take part, but I wish for them to do it of their own free will.¡± Darian thought about what Jorg said. He doesn¡¯t wish you harm, but what about the rest of us? ¡°What happens if I can turn one of them though, will you force the others to become vampires?¡± ¡°Of course not.¡± Raphael glared at Darian. ¡°But it is important we see what creatures your skill can turn. Fey are no exception.¡± The God cast an inquisitive eye on Darian. ¡°You seem suddenly unsure of me. Did something happen?¡± Walking to the nearby wall, Darian leaned against it while shaking his head. ¡°No exactly. But I was curious about something.¡± ¡°Well,¡± Raphael said, throwing an arm wide. ¡°Ask what you will.¡± ¡°It¡¯s about Argus.¡± The God¡¯s face drew into a picture of puzzlement. ¡°No one has asked me about him in years. What do you wish to know?¡± Darian fiddled with the sleeve of his white shirt, not sure where to start. ¡°I heard he died in battle. Is that true?¡± Raphael frowned. ¡°That part of his downfall is true. Many versions of his death exist, but his death it still was.¡± ¡°I asked Lucia about it, but she told me you were watching the battle.¡± ¡°I wasn¡¯t simply watching,¡± Raphael continued. ¡°But I was fighting by the God of the Sun''s side. Ofnia was there too, and that treacherous bastard Gallist.¡± Gallist Darian had never heard of, but Ofnia was another one of Lonelen¡¯s human gods. I think Fria said her brother Radrick served her, but she¡¯s been missing since Argus died. ¡°We came to that battleground together to face Atarax. Had Gallist not betrayed us, we would have slain him.¡± ¡°But Argus is gone, right? You¡¯re sure?¡± Raphael''s face twisted into a mask of rage for a moment, bitter memories clearly flooding his mind as he recalled the battle. ¡°I watched as Atarax drove a sword through his chest. And with all our healing and skills exhausted, I was forced to watch him bleed into the soil. He is gone, Darian. He and so many others¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry for bringing it up. I was just curious. But his religion still seems to be going strong, even with him gone.¡± Darian paused, eying the God of Season¡¯s carefully. ¡°And some swear they can still hear his voice.¡± Raphael snorted. ¡°Argus never liked all that religious nonsense. He was an atheist on earth. But being worshipped has its uses. It actually was his idea to start the panth¡ª¡± The far door creaked back open and Palintross stepped through. A maid appeared behind him, a caged rabbit cradled in her arms. ¡°More stories will have to wait,¡± Raphael said, a mischievous gleam to his eyes. ¡°It¡¯s time to experiment.¡± B2 Chapter 30 - Radricks Sacrifice Fria leaned against the barn wall, never taking her eyes off the hooded woman. ¡°Well,¡± Fria said, nodding at the sword in the woman¡¯s hands. ¡°We¡¯re alone now. So talk.¡± She walked to a nearby crate and eased herself onto it. ¡°As you¡¯ve realized, this is indeed Radrick¡¯s blade.¡± She laid the length of enchanted steel across her lap. A tightness grew in Fria¡¯s chest. Radrick had been given that sword by the Goddess Ofnia herself, and nothing but death could part him from it. ¡°He¡¯s dead, isn¡¯t he?¡± Fria could feel the tears coming as she said the words, but she held them back. The woman¡¯s grip tightened on the blade¡¯s handle. ¡°He died fighting.¡± Fria almost laughed. ¡°How fitting.¡± The last time she saw her brother, he left on some kind of quest. He told her he would return, that his objective was given to him by his patron God. That nothing would keep him away forever. Liar. ¡°I am sorry,¡± the woman said, her voice soft as a summer breeze. ¡°Don¡¯t be.¡± Fria crossed her arms over her chest, her hands clenched into fists. ¡°I always knew this would happen. Ever since he joined those damned Justicars. They never did my family any good, and now they¡¯ve gone and taken my brother away from me.¡± ¡°They are not to blame for this,¡± the woman said, a hand reaching up to clasp the frosted edge of her hood. ¡°I am.¡± She threw the hood back, revealing her mop of curly, golden hair. It radiated light, the warm tones nearly reflecting off her milk pale skin. ¡°Ofnia,¡± Fria mumbled, staring into the Goddess¡¯ crystal blue eyes. ¡°Once I saw my brother¡¯s sword, I figured it was you.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Ofnia¡¯s face drew into a visage of puzzlement. ¡°You are rather calm, given that you¡¯re speaking to a God.¡± Fria half chuckled, half sighed. ¡°I know what you really are.¡± She pulled herself from the wall, anger swelling in her veins. ¡°You¡¯re not a God. Not really.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Ofnia drew upright. ¡°Then what am I?¡± ¡°Just a human,¡± Fria answered, remembering all the things Darian told her. ¡°Someone pulled from earth by the system. You were called Aspirant once. But you fought the others until only you remained.¡± She stepped forward, sadness and rage battering her soul. ¡°You stand atop their bodies and call yourself a God. But a creature from another world, that¡¯s all you really are.¡± Ofnia, to Fria¡¯s surprise, smiled. ¡°It worked,¡± she whispered, her eyes glistening. ¡°It worked.¡± ¡°What are you talking about?¡± ¡°Radrick did it.¡± Ofnia lunged off the crate, her grin widening into a mad smile. ¡°I thought perhaps he failed, but you used an inventory, I saw it. Yet a part of me still didn¡¯t believe.¡± She wiped the tears from her eyes. ¡°But the summoning must have worked for you to know my true nature.¡± She looked around. ¡°The Aspirant, where are they?¡± Fria took a back step. ¡°The summoning?¡± Whatever happiness had seized Ofnia faded, and she calmed herself. ¡°Yes. Radrick¡¯s final quest was to retrieve a conduit. I needed it in order to summon someone special to this world. When I received the notification that¡­that he¡¯d died, I thought he must have never reached it. But if an Aspirant was summoned to you, then he must have.¡± ¡°No one was summoned to me,¡± Fria said, starting to feel a little dizzy. Ofnia didn¡¯t seem convinced. ¡°You are a companion, are you not?¡± Fria thought about lying, but what good would that do? She leaned against the wall and absently pat Zan on the head. ¡°I am.¡± ¡°Then you must have met an Aspirant.¡± The Goddess began to pace back and forth, her boots crunching on the barn floor. ¡°Maybe they weren¡¯t summoned right to you?¡± She stopped. ¡°Your father, was the Aspirant summoned to him?¡± ¡°He¡¯s dead,¡± Fria replied, sliding down the barn wall. ¡°Now he and Radrick have both left us.¡± She pulled her knees up to her chest. She no longer had the strength to fight back the tears. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Ofnia frowned. ¡°I am¡­sorry.¡± She approached Fria slowly. ¡°We only met briefly during his time in the Emerald Branch, but he was a good man. I know he loved his children dearly.¡± ¡°Stop with the fake sympathy,¡± Fria said. ¡°Nothing about my grief is fake,¡± Ofnia replied. ¡°Because you see¡­your brother and I¡­we were¡­he was my companion.¡± ¡°Yeah, I figured that out already.¡± Fria lay her forehead against her knees. Zan lay down beside her, his head resting on her leg. ¡°What I mean to say,¡± Ofnia squatted and lay a hand on Fria¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Is that your brother was everything to me.¡± Fria felt her emotions being soothed, calming as if some balm had been applied directly to her soul. ¡°Stop,¡± she commanded, scooting away. ¡°Don¡¯t use magic on me.¡± ¡°I only meant to ease your suffering,¡± Ofnia said, pulling her hand back. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Fria looked up, a barbed word on her tongue, but she paused. The Goddess¡¯ face was a wet ruin. Tears streaked down her face, and her body jerked as she began to sob. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she said, doing her best to wipe away the tears. ¡°But to know that Carn is dead, that my so¡ª¡± she stopped herself. Then, after taking a deep breath, she regained her composure. ¡°My feelings come secondary to the mission.¡± She looked into Fria¡¯s bewildered eyes. ¡°If Radrick found the conduit, then he must have forced a summoning. To do this, he would have needed to give his life as payment.¡± ¡°So he died in order to bring an Aspirant to this world?¡± Fria asked. ¡°Why would he do such a thing?¡± ¡°Because without a new champion, humanity will fall.¡± Ofnia¡¯s face grew ridged, any sign of weakness washed away in an instant. ¡°And the demon God Atarax was busy making his own plans. He would have used the conduit to further his campaign of destruction. And no matter what, we could not allow that to happen.¡± Fria pulled Zan closer, the wolf¡¯s warm fur bringing her a small measure of comfort. ¡°I did meet an Aspirant. He found me in the forest after¡­after my father died. He saved my life.¡± ¡°Normally if someone is summoned to this world, they will appear before the summoner,¡± Ofnia explained. ¡°But since Radrick gave his life as payment, the person he summoned would appear near his closest relatives. Those who not only shared blood with him, but a deep bond. And since you and your father were together, the conduit most likely chose one of you as the ¡®summoner¡¯.¡± ¡°Darian ended up in that forest, because we were there?¡± Ofnia grinned. ¡°So, the Aspirant¡¯s name is Darian?¡± She once again peered around the desolate barn. ¡°And where is this Darian now? I have much to discuss with him¡± ¡°Gone,¡± Fria replied, peering at the moon through a crack in the wall. ¡°Gone and hopefully seeing the world, just like he wanted.¡± *** Darian lowered the satyr to the floor, his stomach churning. I think I¡¯m going to be sick. ¡°Very good,¡± Palintross said, stepping around the comatose body of a deer and rabbit. ¡°Now we wait.¡± Stumbling to the side, Darian vomited into the drain. ¡°It appears fey blood does not agree with him.¡± Raphael¡¯s hand clasped Darian on the shoulder. "Easy,¡± he said. ¡°Perhaps you drank too much?¡± Ever since his race evolved into [Vampire], Darian¡¯s hunger for blood was nearly endless. He could drink and drink and never be truly sated. Yet the fey blood after only a few moments burned within him, stinging his insides like milk used to do in his old body. And we ended up discovering I was lactose intolerant. He glared at the bright blood flowing down the drain. Seems like this could be something similar. ¡°Will he be alright?¡± Darian asked, wiping the spittle from his mouth. Raphael looked down at the satyr. ¡°Most likely. But just to be sure.¡± He waved a hand, and the satyr¡¯s body was enveloped in a swirling mix of shadow and light. ¡°What did you do?¡± ¡°Same thing I did to your paladin friend before I pulled that bolt out,¡± Raphael answered. ¡°I used my unique skill, Delay Judgment on him. The next time he takes lethal damage, he will be invulnerable for thirty seconds. That will give the healers enough time to save him, if need be.¡± Darian had wanted them to heal the satyr right after he had finished draining him. He knew from the cow in Fria¡¯s village that healing someone suffering from blood loss would help them quickly recover. But Palintross thought it might mess with the process of creating vampires, so they were holding off for now. ¡°That¡¯s a powerful skill,¡± Darian remarked. ¡°My build is one primarily geared toward support,¡± Raphael said. ¡°There are many ways I can prevent someone from dying. This is but one of them.¡± His head beginning to cloud, Darian nearly took a tumble to the floor. ¡°You must rest, friend.¡± Raphael said. Darian looked over the sleeping bodies on the floor. There were six of them in total. Four were forest animals, one a seagull, and the last a satyr man named Theo. ¡°We will keep an eye on them while you sleep,¡± Raphael assured. ¡°Please rest. We will have much more to do tomorrow.¡± ¡°My maids will show you to a room,¡± Palintross said, casting an annoyed glance in Raphael¡¯s direction. But Darian didn¡¯t care. He needed sleep and he needed it now. ¡°Thanks,¡± he mumbled, shuffling for the exit. Before he left, he looked over his shoulder. If he could turn animals into vampires, completing his quest would be easy. But he knew more challenges would be ahead, regardless of the outcome. But I¡¯ll be ready for them. With renewed resolve, Darian followed Palintross down the tunnel, his mind readying itself for what was to come. B2 Chapter 31 - The Child Fria closed the door behind her and shivered. They were in one of the abandoned homes at the edge of the village. The family who used to live there had been some of the first to die of the plague, leaving the building abandoned. Using it made Fria feel a little sick, but she didn¡¯t want to bring Ofnia home. She hadn¡¯t told her Darian was a vampire, and she wasn¡¯t sure how the Goddess would react to him or Fria¡¯s mother. Zan padded out and toward the fireplace and sniffed. ¡°I¡¯m working on it,¡± Fria said. Ofnia moved past her. ¡°There are still logs,¡± she said, raising a hand. ¡°That is all I need.¡± An orb of flame burst from her palm. It struck the three logs in the fireplace, setting them aflame in an instant. ¡°That must be handy,¡± Fria said, watching as Zan curled up on a nearby rug. ¡°It certainly has its uses.¡± Ofnia inspected the small home, noting the two rooms in the back. ¡°A family lived here once,¡± she commented. ¡°They were taken by this new plague, correct?¡± Fria nodded. ¡°Some of them prayed for you to save them, I¡¯m sure. Argus may still have the most followers, but the Goddess of healing must be sorely missed in Lonelen right now.¡± She knew the words were hurtful and perhaps even cruel. But Radrick was dead, and she needed someone to blame. Who better than the person who sent him on his final quest? But Darian would not be here without Radrick¡¯s sacrifice, if Ofnia is to be believed. And without him, I would have died in that forest. ¡°I wish I could have answered their prayers,¡± Ofnia said, settling into a chair, a hand resting on her stomach. ¡°But I have been¡­preoccupied for the last few months.¡± Fria pulled a chair from the corner and sat down across from the Goddess. ¡°Preoccupied? You¡¯ve been missing for years.¡± She thought of her brother, his devotion to her. He¡¯d served with the Justicars since he was young. Rose through their ranks faster than anyone else. And that landed him a spot at the Goddess¡¯ side. A position that got him killed. ¡°My brother,¡± Fria continued. ¡°You said he was everything to you. Then why didn¡¯t you go after the conduit yourself? Why send Radrick?¡± Ofnia¡¯s bottom lip trembled. ¡°I could not join him, and we didn¡¯t have time to spare. Atarax would have used the conduit if we waited. Someone had to get it, and your brother was the strongest person we had.¡± ¡°Couldn¡¯t join him, or didn¡¯t want to?¡± Fria felt heat rising in her chest. ¡°You sent him on a suicide mission. But you knew that didn¡¯t you? What¡¯s one mortal¡¯s life when compared to that of a¡ª¡± Ofnia shot to her feet, her fists clenched. ¡°Do not,¡± she said, crackling energy rolling from her shimmering body, ¡°tell me how I felt or what I did. Sending him to that fortress took months of planning. But if I could have joined him, I would have.¡± Her eyes glistened. ¡°Even now, I would gladly give my life for his.¡± The fire burning in Fria¡¯s heart dimmed, leaving her with a deep chill. ¡°But why, Ofnia? What could have kept you from going with him?¡± The Goddess locked eyes with Fria. ¡°I was giving birth.¡± Fria¡¯s mouth hung open, whatever she was about to say jammed in her throat. ¡°The system normally only allows the Gods to reproduce with each other, but Radrick was special.¡± ¡°Wait,¡± Fria mumbled. ¡°The child was his?¡± Ofnia settled back into her chair. ¡°Yes. As I said, your brother was everything to me. Our love for each other kept us going, and now our son is my priority.¡± ¡°Radrick has a son¡­¡± Fria¡¯s body grew heavy, guilt at her hasty words eating at her. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t think¡­I didn¡¯t know¡­¡± ¡°You needed a target for your grief, and I am here.¡± Ofnia toucher her stomach. ¡°But in order to secure my son¡¯s future, Atarax must be stopped.¡± ¡°Your son, where is he?¡± Fria asked.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. ¡°He is with me.¡± She raised her hand and an oily black sphere appeared. ¡°Normally putting living things in an inventory is impossible, but there are methods to fool the system.¡± Fria¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°The baby is in your inventory?¡± She stared at the writhing, black mass. ¡°Is that safe?¡± ¡°Safer than carrying him with me,¡± Ofnia replied. ¡°I know it¡¯s not ideal. But inside my inventory he can sleep in peace. Though I must bring him out soon to feed him.¡± ¡°But he can breathe, right? And can he move around in there? What if he needs to relieve himself?¡± Ofnia smiled. ¡°Your concern warms my heart. But please trust that I only place him inside when I must. There is a crate I keep him in. He has air, and I can feel it when he begins to wake. I did not know how you would react to seeing me and hearing the news of your brother¡¯s death. Until I felt secure, I did not wish to risk bringing him out.¡± ¡°Well you can bring him out now!¡± Fria¡¯s shout drew an angry glare from Zan, who was doing his best to fall asleep. ¡°As you wish.¡± Ofnia rose to her feet. She reached both hands into her inventory and the black sphere expanded. With a grunt, she pulled free a large crate. It stood about half Fria¡¯s height, but was wide. ¡°His name is Carn,¡± Ofnia said as her fingers slid under the crate¡¯s lid. ¡°Radrick named him after our father?¡± Radrick and her father spent most of their time fighting. She never would have guessed he would name his son after the man. ¡°It was a name we agreed on.¡± Ofnia lifted the lid. ¡°I can no longer remember my parent¡¯s names or faces, so we settled on naming him after your father.¡± Fria inched forward and peered down. The interior of the crate was lined with wool, and a blanket took up the bottom half. Nestled atop it was a bundle of silk, a tiny pale hand poking through. Ofnia reached down and scooped the bundle up. ¡°He¡¯s a heavy sleeper,¡± she said, the baby starting to stir. ¡°Shhh,¡± she whispered. ¡°Shhh.¡± The baby was redheaded, just like Fria and Radrick. But his eyes were crystal blue, and his skin was pale, like that of his mother. ¡°He¡¯s beautiful,¡± Fria whispered. ¡°I certainly think so.¡± Carn turned, his chubby little face scrunching as he smiled. ¡°This is your aunt Fria,¡± Ofnia said, her voice taking on a light, childlike tone. ¡°Hello little guy,¡± Fria said, reaching out to touch the baby¡¯s arm. Zan perked up and approached, his nose twitching. When Carn saw him, he looked like he might start balling. But then Zan gave the baby¡¯s hand a lick, and the little fellow started grinning. ¡°He¡¯s Zan approved,¡± Fria said, watching as the wolf¡¯s tail began to furiously wag. ¡°That he is,¡± Ofnia¡¯s face grew darker, worry creasing her brow. ¡°Is everything alright?¡± Fria asked, noticing how the Goddess¡¯ expression had changed. ¡°I am worried,¡± she replied, rocking the baby in her arms. ¡°That is why I came here. I need allies, and I need them swiftly. The Aspirant Radrick gave his life for was where I planned on starting. But then perhaps Raphael or Aurel could be persuaded to help me.¡± Fria thought of Darian. Watching him leave without her had been far harder than she had anticipated. But she wanted to help protect the village and the vampires he¡¯d created. However, the thought of seeing him again, of fighting alongside him¡ªit sent a jolt of excitement through her heart. ¡°Atarax and the other Gods are on the move. War is coming. Nothing can prevent that now. But I wish to save as many as I can, starting with my son.¡± She reached out and squeezed Fria¡¯s arm. ¡°And his family. But to do that, I need more people on my side. If you can help me locate this Aspirant, I ask that you please do so. For his sake, and ours.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure that¡¯s what Darian would want. Despite his¡­darker nature, I don¡¯t think he enjoys killing.¡± ¡°Nevertheless, death and war are coming for us all.¡± Fria scratched Zan between the ears, the wolf¡¯s attention still focused on the writhing baby in Ofnia¡¯s arms. ¡°If what you say is true, then I will help you find Darian.¡± She thought of her mother and the other vampires. What would happen here after she left? ¡°But there are things I must do before I go. And there is something you need to know about Darian.¡± Fria sucked in a deep breath. ¡°He¡¯s not human.¡± Ofnia nodded her head. ¡°We wished to summon a human Aspirant, but sometimes these things happen.¡± She smiled. ¡°What race did the system make him? An elf, or maybe an orc?¡± She looked into the Goddess¡¯ eyes. ¡°A vampire.¡± Her smile faded. ¡°A vampire? But those don¡¯t exist in this world.¡± ¡°Well, they do now.¡± Fria said with a shrug. ¡°You don¡¯t understand,¡± Ofnia said. ¡°The Index has a list of all races and their evolutions, and vampires are not mentioned once.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of them either,¡± Fria said, wondering what had Ofnia so worked up. ¡°If he¡¯s not in the Index, then maybe¡­¡± She looked up, her eyes narrowing in focus. ¡°He might be more important than I thought.¡± She gave Carn a kiss on the cheek. ¡°I wish to stay here for a few days, but then we must begin our search.¡± Her smile returned. ¡°Thank you, Fria. Together, we might just be able to save the world.¡± B2 Chapter 32 - A Step Forward Darian lay the rabbit with the others, blood dripping from his chin.
Quest: Nightlord Objective: Create fifty vampires. (42/50)
After the current batch, Nightlord would finally be complete, adding a new ability to his divine skill. Things had progressed quickly once they discovered animals and birds could be turned. The satyr man, Theo, had been the only subject of the original batch to resist. Raphael had Darian attempt to turn a dryad and fairy next with the same result. Fey, for whatever reason, were immune and could not be made into vampires. Still. After today, not only will I gain a new ability, but my race level will increase. ¡°I will put them with the others,¡± Palintross said, his cane tapping along the stone floor. Darian didn¡¯t know what Palintross was doing with the vampiric bunnies, but that was something he would have to figure out later. Raphael had begun to make good on his promise to make Darian stronger, and tonight he would help Raphael in return. He was to meet the God in his palace once he was finished at the House of Innovation. ¡°Let me know if there are any complications,¡± Darian said, heading for the exit. One of the maids was waiting for him, a towel in her hand. Darian took it and thanked her, the green haired ¡°elf¡± bowing in return. While he wiped the blood off his face, Palintross crept up behind him. ¡°I must say, I am rather intrigued by your race,¡± the old elf said. ¡°The weaknesses are many, but the increase in physical strength? It¡¯s remarkable.¡± Darian had spent much of the last two days at the House of Innovation, and he was growing rather tired of the elf. The man had a habit of roping Darian into work he would rather not be a part of. ¡°What do you want from me?¡± ¡°Oh come now, I was just making polite conversation.¡± Palintross moved to the maid¡¯s side, the woman blushing as the scientist drew near. ¡°But, I was curious if you would¡­assist me with an experiment.¡± Darian groaned. He better not want help moving more equipment around. ¡°What exactly are you needing?¡± Palintross smiled. ¡°Your blood. I need your blood.¡± Darian handed the towel to the maid. ¡°You¡¯re going to have to tell me what it¡¯s for.¡± While Palintross did work for Raphael, he was technically beholden to the elders of the Society. Meaning all his work could potentially find its way back to the guild or be used for independent research. And the guy doesn¡¯t exactly give off good vibes. ¡°I would rather not bore you with the details. But it¡¯s nothing nefarious, I assure you.¡± Darian looked into the elf¡¯s eyes and activated his skill [Vampiric Charm]. ¡°Please,¡± Darian said, a notification appearing to tell him the skill was successful. ¡°We¡¯re friends, right? So what do you need the blood for?¡± Palintross nodded his head, his lips parting into a toothy grin. ¡°To see if the conditions for creating vampires can be done without you present. If a subject is drained of blood, then given yours from a vial, will they turn? I wish to test this.¡± ¡°Hm.¡± Darian thought about it for a moment. ¡°Who are you planning to test this on?¡± ¡°My maids of course. They are the subject of most of my experiments.¡± Darian turned to the maid. ¡°And you¡¯re okay with this?¡± ¡°We are the master¡¯s creations,¡± she said, her voice flat as an ironing board. ¡°And we are grateful to assist him in any way we can.¡± ¡°See?¡± Palintross said. ¡°Nothing to worry about.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Darian stepped back. ¡°What if I were to pay you?¡± Darian had no need for gold, but the elf probably had powerful artifacts stashed somewhere in his lab or maybe even the mansion itself. ¡°I will give you my blood in exchange for a magic item. That¡¯s fair, right?¡± Palintross furiously nodded. ¡°Yes, that will work splendidly. But what kind of item would you like?¡± He had Sparkblade and soon he would have magic armor. He had two other magic items currently equipped but all they did was increase his Constitution attribute. ¡°A ring or necklace,¡± Darian eventually said. ¡°Preferably something with a powerful passive enchantment.¡± ¡°I think I have just the thing for you.¡± the old elf snapped his fingers, another maid appearing from down the tunnel. ¡°Lila, fetch the red case from my upstairs study. The one right beside my desk.¡± He waved for Darian to follow him. ¡°Now, let¡¯s get to extracting that divine blood of yours.¡±Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. *** Darian inspected the silver chained necklace again, his eyes drawn to the red jewel that shone in the fake sunlight.
Stone of Regeneration
The poison immunity was redundant, but the [Minor Regeneration] stacked with his upgraded [Intermediate Regeneration]. He even tested it by cutting his arm with a knife after Palintross finished sucking out some of his blood with a syringe. The wound healed quickly, far faster than it would have from [Intermediate Regeneration] alone. But maybe I should have asked for more? He wasn¡¯t sure if it was just because of the skill he¡¯d used on him, but Palintross seemed rather eager to please Darian. And eager for my fresh blood. He looked over his shoulder and down the long winding street. I¡¯ll have to keep an eye on him from now on. It wasn¡¯t long before Darian reached the massive doors that led into Raphael¡¯s sanctuary palace. Several guards were stationed around the street, with archers staring down at him from treetop platforms above. ¡°Welcome,¡± Lucia said. ¡°The master has been expecting you.¡± Darian eyed the satyr guards, noting they were sporting fresh bruises and cuts along their faces and arms. ¡°What happened to them?¡± Lucia sighed. ¡°The orc, Yazliar, he is¡­rough during training.¡± If Darian had to guess, the surrounding guards weren¡¯t very high level. Maybe a few levels lower than he was. But without the benefits of my high attributes. ¡°Does he need to train them so hard?¡± he said. ¡°Or does he just like beating on people weaker than he is?¡± ¡°We are preparing for a potential war,¡± Lucia replied. ¡°But his methods are sometimes extreme. Even with ample healing magic, our men are often still injured by the next training session.¡± She smiled. ¡°But that is not your concern. Please, come with me. The master awaits.¡± *** Raphael sat in a chair by the wide window, his walking staff against the wall beside him. He stared at the sanctuary below with a somber expression. When he turned a tired eye to Darian, he looked more like a man at the end of his rope than a God. ¡°Welcome,¡± he said, waving for Darian to take the seat on the other end of the window. ¡°How goes things at the House of Innovation?¡± ¡°Well,¡± Darian replied, easing onto the rough wooden chair. ¡°I will have my racial quest done within the next twenty-four hours.¡± Raphael turned to stare back out the window. ¡°Good. You will need all the power you can muster, and soon.¡± ¡°Did something happen?¡± ¡°I have scouting parties dispersed near each of my fey portals, but some of these have failed to return. I fear Atarax will find this place sooner rather than later.¡± Raphael absently rubbed a thick scar on his wrist. ¡°We will not survive a direct attack.¡± ¡°Is there not a way to stop this?¡± Darian asked. ¡°And the portals, could you not close them for the time being?¡± ¡°The portals are linked to specific places of powerful magic,¡± Raphael explained. ¡°They can be closed, but one with enough power could force them back open. And all it takes is one of Atarax¡¯s children to find us for the sanctuary to fall.¡± Raphael grabbed his staff and pulled himself to his feet. ¡°But that is a problem for another day. For now, we must discuss your next move.¡± Darian joined the God as he limped his way out of the room and down the hall. They stopped as they reached the stairs. ¡°If you are still willing to go along with my plans, I have discovered where you may start,¡± Raphael said. ¡°The Aspirant of Fire is near the portal you took to get here. Only about a two-day journey, if my scouts are correct. And he resides in a place that has some personal significance to you.¡± ¡°The Lich Cult¡¯s fortress?¡± Darian thought about Oliver and his blood began to quicken. ¡°Yes. The Aspirant lies somewhere inside, but he has not moved for some time. I believe he may be held prisoner there.¡± Raphael started down the stairs, Darian following close behind. ¡°Why would the Lich Cult keep an Aspirant prisoner?¡± Especially someone who commands fire. It seems rather dangerous, if you ask me. The God of Season¡¯s shrugged. ¡°Their blood, perhaps? Though it lacks the divinity of a God, Aspirant blood has magical properties. But my guess is they are plotting something. They had a connection to the Grave Aspirant Victoria. A connection that I¡¯m still attempting to fully uncover.¡± They reached the end of the stairs. Raphael wiped the sweat from his brow with his sleeve and continued toward a chamber near the front entrance. He could have just met me downstairs, Darian thought as he watched the wounded God struggle his way forward. But the man clearly had some amount of pride left. And maybe he thinks this show will make me more sympathetic toward him and his mission? Letting his paranoia rest for now, Darian entered the dimply lit room. A massive table took up the center of the chamber, the surface a scattered mess of maps and battle plans. Three satyrs bickered at one end of the table, a few fairies and dryads arguing nearby. They all fell silent when they noticed Raphael. ¡°My lord,¡± the tallest of the satyr¡¯s said, the whole room bowing together in reverence. Raphael raised a hand to calm them and turned to Darian. ¡°While you were at the House of Innovation, they have been preparing battleplans.¡± ¡°Already planning our attack?¡± Darian asked. ¡°Your attack,¡± Raphael corrected. ¡°My men will draw out the fortress¡¯ defenders, but you and a small elite team will be the ones to infiltrate.¡± Darian inspected the maps and figures, noting the enemy seemed to outnumber them. ¡°This team, I take it you¡¯ve already selected its members?¡± ¡°Not exactly. I have some suggestions, but that is why I called you here.¡± He turned as five sets of footsteps approached from outside. ¡°It¡¯s time you form a proper party. One who will swear their lives and allegiance to you.¡± He looked into Darian¡¯s eyes. ¡°Let the coming battle be their test. For the time of sitting idle is over. The time of battle and bloodshed has come. And we must pick our friends wisely.¡± ¡°I already have a companion,¡± Darian said, thinking about Fria. ¡°And allies.¡± Even if Jorg has been avoiding me the last few days. ¡°Your companion is not with you,¡± Raphael replied. ¡°And you need to select who will fill the remaining slots. They must level up, the same as you. And the longer you wait, the longer it will take for them to gain strength.¡± Darian reluctantly nodded. Maybe it really was time for him to build a proper party. Because he could tell by the hum of nervous voices behind him that battle was close. And Raphael is right. I will need strong allies if I am to succeed. But he wouldn''t add someone to his party without a proper trial. He''d added Fria before he knew the ramifications. The fact she turned out to be a good choice was a coincidence. But he would give the people Raphael brought a chance. He stood proud and awaited them. With luck, at least one of them would prove to be a trustworthy ally. B2 Chapter 33 - Partnership ¡°The rest of you, clear out for now,¡± Raphael commanded. The people who¡¯d been arguing over the battleplans quickly bowed and left the room, leaving only Raphael, Darian, and the five newcomers. ¡°Hello again,¡± Lucia said with a smile. Darian was a bit surprised to see her here, but then he became thankful for the familiar face. The other four Darian had not met, and they looked upon him with more than a hint of apprehension. ¡°Here is the Blood Aspirant,¡± Raphael announced. ¡°Soon to be Blood God, if we have our way.¡± ¡°Greetings,¡± Darian said with a wave, a pit forming in his gut. None of them besides Lucia look like they want to be here. Three of them were satyrs, and the two men beside Lucia almost appeared to be afraid. They cast nervous glances at each other, their bodies standing rigidly at attention. Another of the five was a dryad, but despite her stern outward appearance, Darian could sense her fear. The final person was a nymph, and she stared at Darian with something like anger in her eyes. ¡°You five have been chosen for your grand potential,¡± Raphael continued. ¡°And by proving your worth, you may be accepted to the Blood God¡¯s side as his companion.¡± Though Raphael smiled as he spoke, the others grew more and more anxious. ¡°Thank you for all for coming here,¡± Darian said, stepping forward. ¡°But I need a few minutes alone with The God of Seasons. Please wait outside.¡± Four of them cleared out without a second thought. Lucia lingered, but a nod from Raphael sent her away. She closed the chamber door behind her, and Darian rounded on the God. ¡°I don¡¯t want to take any of them with me,¡± he announced. Raphael¡¯s face twisted into a crooked frown. ¡°They would make excellent companions,¡± he argued. ¡°They are loyal, strong, and most of all, they have high level caps.¡± ¡°Loyal to you, Raphael, not loyal to me.¡± He glanced at the door. ¡°Their fear was plain to see. Are you honestly telling me you couldn¡¯t sense it?¡± ¡°We ready for war. Fear is natural.¡± He walked to the table, his walking staff tapping sharply along the stone floor. ¡°After our attack on the Lich Cult, the demons will have a better idea where the portals are. Sooner or later, they will find one. If that happens, I will need powerful people to repel them.¡± He glared into Darian¡¯s eyes. ¡°You must add companions to your party officially. The longer you wait, the weaker you become.¡± ¡°This is a partnership,¡± Darian replied, drawing upright. ¡°And that means you don¡¯t give me orders.¡± Light flashed in the God¡¯s eyes, and the air in the room began to crackle, arcs of golden energy sparking into life all around Raphael. But then he doubled over, blood spraying from his mouth as a violent coughing fit consumed him. Darian approached the God to help out of reflex, but then he backed away. ¡°You¡¯re dying,¡± he said as he watched Raphael struggle to stay on his feet. ¡°I¡¯ve been dying for a long time now.¡± He ran a finger from his left shoulder down to his right hip. ¡°Atarax struck me with his Ultimate skill during our battle. It is an attack that cuts though anything. Be that bodies, armor, souls, or even concepts themselves. And wounds from it cannot be healed. Only my own ultimate skill, The Law of Cycles, keeps me alive.¡± He looked around the room. ¡°And it is why I can¡¯t leave the sanctuary.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t leave?¡± Darian asked. ¡°I am bound to this place, and it to me. Without it, my ultimate skill alone would not be enough to keep me alive.¡± Darian looked down at the maps and battleplans strewn across the table. ¡°That¡¯s why you¡¯re so desperate for me to get stronger quickly. Everyone else can leave if the demons attack, but you¡¯re stuck here.¡± Raphael nodded. ¡°It is exactly as you say.¡± He smiled flatly. ¡°And I am afraid. Afraid of dying, afraid of losing all that I¡¯ve built in this world.¡± ¡°I understand more now why you wanted me to accept new companions,¡± Darian said. ¡°But I will not accept your people. They love and respect you, and any I add to my party would never truly align themselves to me. And if I¡¯m going to have companions, I must trust them entirely.¡± Looking a bit deflated, Raphael slumped into a nearby chair. ¡°I cannot argue with you. I have already asked much of you already. I¡­I¡¯m sorry. From now on, I will remember this was to be a partnership.¡± He waved at the door. ¡°Years of having everyone follow my orders must have made me forget that some people are not my subjects.¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°Apology accepted,¡± Darian said with a grin. He slid out a nearby chair and eased into it. ¡°But I am still open to the idea of attacking the Lich Cult. If they have an Aspirant held prisoner, rescuing them might indebt them to us.¡± ¡°But if they are not a prisoner, you must kill them.¡± Raphael reached up and touched a scar on his chin. ¡°Other Aspirants we can force to accept your¡­gift. But this is the Aspirant of Fire, and that makes them your natural enemy.¡± ¡°I will do what I need to do.¡± Darian thought back on Victoria. That battle had been won with more than a small measure of luck. If he faced another Aspirant, especially one who was stronger, could he win? But I have to. I¡¯m in the middle of things now, and that means fighting Aspirants and Gods is inevitable. ¡°Then we will be ready to launch the attack tomorrow night.¡± Darian looked up from the maps. ¡°Tomorrow? That¡¯s sooner than I expected.¡± ¡°Time is against us,¡± Raphael replied. ¡°And so we must strike hard and fast if the opportunity presents itself. The Lich Cult are building a powerful undead army. We could wait until they march away from the fortress with it, but the Flame Aspirant might have moved or been killed by then.¡± He motioned at the table. ¡°My companion, Zander, will lead an army against them in order to draw them out of the fort.¡± ¡°But why would they leave and not hunker down for a siege?¡± Darian asked. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t they be giving up a good position?¡± ¡°Zander has¡­methods for drawing them out. But you are mostly correct. Many will stay within the fort¡¯s walls. But my daughter, Almeda, will go with you. She has skills that can help you slip inside.¡± ¡°I want Jorg to come with me.¡± The paladin had not been mentally well the last time they spoke, but he could count on him in a fight at least. ¡°I have already sent my people to equip him in anticipation of this request.¡± Raphael replied. ¡°And I have instructed another to accompany you. But I understand the two of you already had an unpleasant encounter.¡± Unpleasant encounter? Who is he talking about? But then he realized. ¡°Yazliar.¡± ¡°Yes. When the orc caught wind of our battle plans, he demanded we stick him on the front lines. But his power would be better suited to smaller engagements. I know you might have your reservations about him, but he is powerful.¡± Darian groaned, but having the orc and his massive sword at his side could be a great help. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll take him with me. But he has to understand I¡¯m in charge once we infiltrate the fortress.¡± Raphael nodded. ¡°Besides him and my daughter, there are two others I would like to go with you. The first is Lucia. She is a great archer, and she has several healing spells. I know her magic will not help you, but it can help the others.¡± Darian hadn¡¯t spent too much time around the satyr woman, but he liked her. ¡°If she can fight and heal, I will take her.¡± ¡°I figured as much,¡± Raphael tapped his fingers against the table. ¡°But the other person is Alistair, the necromancer you freed from the Justicar¡¯s fort prior to coming here.¡± I¡¯d honestly forgotten about him. ¡°Why him? And can he be trusted?¡± ¡°Trusted? To an extent. I told him if he helped us, I would guarantee his freedom. But he knows the interior of the fortress. He could help guide you to the Aspirant while avoiding guards and traps. His knowledge could prove useful.¡± ¡°But are you sure he won¡¯t betray us? He used to be a member of the Lich Cult.¡± ¡°A reasonable fear, but I had Zander question him. Zander¡¯s unique skill can look into a person¡¯s soul. He found no treachery within Alistair. But he did find rage, much of it directed at this Oliver Swink fellow that I understand you have prior history with.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve seen the quest I have to kill him,¡± Darian said. ¡°Hopefully I have chance to sink my fangs into his throat during the attack.¡± ¡°Then will you allow him to accompany you? Besides his knowledge, he is a rather powerful necromancer. And his dark magic spells can heal you. He would make a worthy addition to your team.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know how Jorg or the others will react, but he can come with me. But if he does anything suspicious, I take it I have full permission to deal with him as I see fit?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Raphael gripped his staff and pulled himself to his feet. ¡°I must converse with my generals about the coming battle. Please feel free to relax for now. I will send a fairy for you when the time comes to ready yourself for battle.¡± Darian nodded and then exited the chamber. The generals and Raphael¡¯s potential companions were all waiting outside. He exchanged goodbyes with them, then made for the street. I will let Raphael be the one to turn them down. As he walked toward the home he shared with Jorg and the boys, a notification blared into existence, the sound of sudden trumpets nearly sending Darian falling backwards.
Quest Completed: Nightlord Congratulations! Your Race level has increased to (Lv. 4)!
A wave of power coursed through Darian¡¯s body, his muscles expanding, his skin hardening. And though it all, the familiar pang of hunger needled his stomach. I need blood. He thought, more notifications filling his vision. I need blood. He turned for the House of Innovation, knowing the old elf would have something for him to eat. Then he paused as a random XP counter appeared.
Enemies Slain Companion Contribution: 37 XP
What? He looked around, then he realized what the notification meant. Fria was in danger. B2 Chapter 34 - Preparing for War ¡°I¡¯ll tell you the same thing I¡¯ve been telling you,¡± Jorg said, adjusting his gauntlets. ¡°She¡¯s out of your reach, but she¡¯s still alive, right? That means she must be out of whatever trouble came her way.¡± Darian heard the paladin¡¯s words, but the pit in his gut did not change. ¡°You¡¯re probably right,¡± he conceded. It had been over a full day since the XP notification appeared, but Fria was still listed as living on his companion screen. ¡°Even if I¡¯m not, this isn¡¯t the time to be distracted.¡± With a grunt, Jorg hefted up the massive shield. The surface was angular, and magic runes burned bright blue along the top and bottom rim. Each member of his strike team had been given a gift for the coming battle by Raphael, and Jorg¡¯s was the Bastion Shield¡ªa hunk of enchanted steel that significantly boosted the physical and magical defense of the person who wielded it. ¡°Again, you¡¯re probably right.¡± Darian leaned against the cold stone wall. They were in an armory nearby the fey portals waiting for Raphael. His army, led by his companion Zander, had left hours ago. Darian still wasn¡¯t sure how they planned on drawing the Lich Cult¡¯s forces out of the fort, but he would find out soon. The orc warrior Yazliar stood beside the door, his gargantuan sword propped up beside him. Raphael had attempted to gift him an enchanted blade, but he¡¯d refused. Apparently, his current weapon was not enchanted or enhanced in any way. But the orc also refused any other magic items the God of Seasons attempted to provide. He also refused to wear proper armor, deciding to stay clothed in only his boots, pants, and leather vest. Speaking of armor.
Night Lord¡¯s Mail
The armor he received for completing his racial quest was weightless and form fitting. The material was black and soft to the touch, almost silky, but somehow sturdy enough to deflect attacks. Everything except his head was covered by the flowing armor, the ends of which appeared tattered, the cloth ripped as if claws had been raked through them. His chest was covered by rings of dark mail and where the only part of the outfit that looked like traditional armor. I¡¯m starting to look the part, I suppose. Darian looked over his class skills next, doing whatever he could to keep his mind off Fria and the coming battle. So many skills, he thought looking over the selection. Many of them had become nearly useless as the enemies he faced grew stronger and stronger. But he would use his Divine Essence after he unlocked the [Blood Knight] class. That way he could put his early points from mage into the advanced class, unlocking its potential right away. His racial skills had at least remained useful. And I have some new ones. His skill [Minor Transformation] which allowed him to shape parts of his body into that of a wolf or bat had evolved into [Major Transformation]. This new skill allowed him to completely transform his body into a dire wolf or a giant bat. Useful if he ever needed a quick getaway. Another of his skills, [Vampiric Charm] had evolved into the skill [Vampiric Seduction]. His new version of the ability allowed him to completely manipulate the minds of any living creature that looked into his eyes. While [Vampiric Charm] only allowed the subtle manipulation of disposition, the upgraded version was capable of anything just short of complete mind control. And after he reached race level eight, the skill would evolve into [Vampiric Domination]. His race level had also boosted all his physical attributes, giving him fifteen points in strength, dexterity, and constitution. His arcane stat, which governed his aptitude with magic, had not increased. And neither had his fortitude, which provided defense against magical attacks.
Attributes
But he¡¯d also gained two new skills, one from his quest and another from his race level.
Vampiric Bloodlines This divine ability allows the user to create five bloodline progenitors. These vampires will have their race level immediately brought to level (4) and have the ability to reach race level (6). Progenitors will receive a set of skills unique to their bloodline. All vampires progenitors create will receive lesser versions of these unique skills. The bloodlines will focus on the following:
SovereignStolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Skill type: Passive Skill will evolve into [Immortal Sovereign] at race level (8).
Even though Darian didn¡¯t necessarily want to, his skills were pushing him to create more vampires. And not a day has gone by that I haven¡¯t worried about Fria¡¯s village. And while he could now control vampires around him, what would happen when they started making vampires of their own? If he wasn¡¯t careful, Lonelen and the rest of the world would have bigger problems than a demonic invasion. ¡°Are you well?¡± Lucia asked, adjusting the quiver at her hip. Darian shrugged. ¡°Nerves,¡± Jorg said, clapping Darian on the shoulder. ¡°The boy can get a bit dour before a battle.¡± ¡°There is nothing to fear.¡± Lucia plucked at the string of her longbow. ¡°Lady Almeda will be with us and Zander will be leading the assault on the fort. Between the two of them, we will be safe.¡± Yazliar grunted. ¡°Safe? No such thing on the battlefield.¡± He lumbered closer, his massive blade slung over his shoulder. He glared at Darian, his lips curling in disgust. ¡°Don¡¯t coddle the bloodsucker. It won¡¯t do him any good.¡± Darian¡¯s race level had increased his thirst for blood. To ensure he didn¡¯t lose himself in the upcoming fights, he¡¯d filled up on animal blood prior to arriving at the armory. But in his distracted state, he didn¡¯t completely wipe the blood from his mouth. ¡°He¡¯s right,¡± Darian said, rising to his feet. ¡°And there is no need to coddle me. I know what¡¯s coming.¡± He glanced at Jorg, then locked eyes with the towering orc. ¡°Shame we don¡¯t have time to go a round before we head out,¡± Yazliar said. ¡°I don¡¯t like fighting beside weaklings.¡± ¡°You''re free to wet your blade somewhere else,¡± Darian replied. ¡°But no one here is weak.¡± He stepped around the orc and turned to face the group. ¡°We need to work as a team once the fighting starts. And I won¡¯t have someone beside me who can¡¯t follow orders.¡± ¡°Stealth will be paramount,¡± Lucia added. ¡°At least until we penetrate the inner sanctum.¡± The door on the other end of the room opened and Alistair came through. He wore darkened leather armor, and he clutched a crystal tipped staff in his hands. Smirking, he eased the door closed behind him. ¡°Interrupting?¡± He asked with a sly turn of the lips. ¡°Bone-shaper,¡± Yazliar said. ¡°Surprised you actually came.¡± ¡°In other circumstances, I would have been tempted to flee the fighting rather than run towards it. But the lich cult owes me a pound of flesh, and I will have it.¡± ¡°Just be sure your dark nature does not consume you,¡± Lucia said, her voice full of thorns. Jorg sighed. ¡°What a sorry crowd we¡¯ve gathered.¡± Darian looked at them, one by one. They are a rather¡­colorful group. Yazliar was strong, but he was more interested in personal glory than anything else. And Darian still did not trust the shifty necromancer Alistair. Jorg, despite wearing the gleaming armor of a paladin, still claimed he heard the voice of a dead god. At least Lucia seems solid, even if she is weak when compared to the rest of us. Then the door opened once more, and the final member of their party stepped inside. ¡°Lady Almeda,¡± Lucia said with a bow. ¡°It will be a pleasure to fight alongside you.¡± Almeda smiled. She wore no armor and carried no weapons, but Darian had seen a glimpse of her power. And I trust her more than the necromancer or the orc. Raphael came in behind his daughter. With his walking staff tapping along the stone ground, he came to stand before them. ¡°Zander will begin his assault within the hour,¡± he said, standing as tall and proud as his withered body would allow. ¡°As soon as the sun falls, the rest of you will begin your advance on the fortress.¡± Yazliar grunted. ¡°Fighting the undead at night. Such foolishness.¡± Raphael smiled. ¡°My scouts are waiting to guide you. But beyond that, I am sending someone else with you. They will help me keep in contact.¡± A fairy fluttered inside, her little arms and legs buzzing from excitement. ¡°Pleased to be welcomed aboard!¡± Lallet said, flying over the God of Season¡¯s head to pause before Darian. ¡°Hello! It¡¯s been a minute.¡± Darian squinted at the fairy. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± ¡°She will travel with you,¡± Raphael said. ¡°Her sister will remain here. Between the two of them, I can be updated on your progress.¡± ¡°The sisters share a unique bond,¡± Almeda explained. ¡°This bond materialized as a unique skill they both share. They are able to communicate to each other, no matter the distance between them.¡± ¡°Even if they are in sperate realms,¡± Raphael added. ¡°Now before you leave, please have my smiths check your gear. I have also prepared a pack for each of you with the best supplies I can offer.¡± ¡°Goodies? For me?¡± Alistair smiled and made for the door. ¡°A little treat before death? Why not!¡± Yazliar frowned, but followed the chipper necromancer outside. Lucia and Almeda followed, Lallet not far behind them. ¡°Guess it¡¯s about time,¡± Jorg said, a haunted look in his eyes. ¡°Let¡¯s both make it through this, alright? I don¡¯t know what Krast and Isaac will do if one of us doesn¡¯t come back.¡± Darian nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll do my best, as always.¡± He smiled, the gesture fake. Jorg, seeming slightly comforted, left the room. Darian went to go after him, but Raphael stopped him with an outstretched arm. ¡°I have not given you a gift,¡± the God said. While he¡¯d give each of the others a powerful item, he¡¯d not given Darian anything. ¡°I figured I had all I needed.¡± Darian tugged at the sleeve of his dark armor, then reached up and touched the necklace he¡¯d traded Palintross for. ¡°Yes, you are well equipped. But there is something else I wish to offer you.¡± ¡°Sorry, but I think I¡¯m fine.¡± He went to move around the God, but he gripped him by the arm, pulling him back. Standing there a little annoyed, Darian relented. ¡°Alright then, what do you want to give me?¡± Raphael drew a finger across his wrist and smiled. ¡°My divine blood, Aspirant. That is what I offer.¡± B2 Chapter 35 - One Man Darian stared at the God¡¯s wrist, his hunger bubbling to the surface. ¡°A tempting offer, is it not?¡± Raphael smiled. ¡°Palintross begged for me to do this while you were at the House of Innovation. But whatever the results of this become, they will stay between the two of us.¡± ¡°Are you sure about this?¡± Darian asked, his fangs emerging. If Oliver¡¯s blood smelled that sweet, I can¡¯t imagine what aroma a God¡¯s blood will have. He raked his tongue across his pointed teeth. Or the taste. ¡°I am.¡± Raphael extended his arm. ¡°And do not fear hurting me. While I can¡¯t heal the wound Atarax gave me all those years ago, I can heal anything else done to me with ease. In fact.¡± He tapped his staff on the ground, and a green aura enveloped his body. ¡°I just cast the skill Immediate Regeneration. Now any wounds I suffer for the next ten minutes will heal instantly. So, if you wish to have it, my blood is yours.¡± Darian crept forward and took the God¡¯s arm. ¡°But why offer it to me?¡± The God laughed. ¡°What better gift for a vampire than blood?¡± He¡¯s got me there. Darian lowered his head. The God¡¯s flesh smelt of pine forests and autumn leaves, the scents reminding him of home. But then his fangs sank into Raphael¡¯s wrist, and the air filled with the all too familiar scent of blood. It was by far the sweetest thing Darian had ever tasted.
God Blood consumed: +100 Race XP Current Race XP: 293/300
He hardly noticed the notifications as he savored the exotic flavor.
Temporary skill gained: The Law of Winter
If he hadn¡¯t already filled himself with animal blood, Darian wasn¡¯t sure he could stop himself. But with a monstrous effort, he pulled away. Standing there, blood still fresh on his lips, he watched as Raphael¡¯s wrist healed. ¡°See?¡± he waived his arm in an arc. ¡°I¡¯m all better. And by the look on your face, my blood must have been different than your usual offering.¡± ¡°Different,¡± Darian mumbled. ¡°That¡¯s one way to put it.¡± He licked his lips. He wanted more. He wanted it all. ¡°What skill did you absorb from my blood?¡± Raphael asked. ¡°I¡¯ve been curious how the system decides which skill to take, but I have my theories.¡± Darian looked at Raphael¡¯s throat. The God might have powerful skills, but this close and with his weakened body, Darian¡¯s fangs could rip him apart with ease. ¡°Oh,¡± Raphael said, stepping back. ¡°It seems I tempted you a touch too far.¡± Shaking the dark thoughts from his head, Darian clenched his fists. ¡°I learned to control my thirst during my time with Fria. But certain people¡¯s blood, it¡­calls to me.¡± ¡°I see.¡± Raphael eased onto a nearby bench. ¡°You¡¯ve told me about the girl and this Oliver fellow, and I think I know why their blood sings to you.¡± Darian, still doing his best to control himself, stepped back and leaned against the wall. ¡°It¡¯s their unique skills, isn¡¯t it?¡± The God grinned. ¡°Very good. That is my assumption.¡± He ran a finger through his leafy hair. ¡°The system does what it can to keep us alive, and this includes modifying our bodies and needs. My powers are stronger within forests, and so this fey body of mine desires root and bark. If I go long without spending time amidst nature, my body diminishes. And since you can absorb skills from blood, your body craves the strongest skills it can take.¡± He leaned forward, his staff tucked into his elbow. ¡°Which brings me back to my original question. Which skill did you receive from my blood?¡± Darian brought his menus up and displayed the temporary skill.
The Law of Winter Radius: 400 feet around caster Duration: 1 hour
He blinked at the skill, not sure if he was reading it right.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡°Hm,¡± Raphael squinted at the skill¡¯s description. ¡°I believed it would select my most powerful unique skill, but it seems to have chosen one at random.¡± He sighed. ¡°This needs further testing.¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­not the strongest one?¡± Raphael laughed. ¡°Far, far from it. It¡¯s honestly one of the weakest. Only useful in taking out large groups of weak enemies. Anyone over the level of fifty would likely be able to survive it without issue.¡± ¡°Will I get skills like that as I advance?¡± ¡°You will. And I¡¯m sure you will have several that put even my most powerful skills to shame.¡± He pulled himself to his feet, his teeth clenched as his legs began to wobble. ¡°But enough about skills. You need to be off. Zander will start his forward assault soon.¡± Darian followed the God to the door, pausing before he pushed it open. ¡°If the Aspirant is an enemy, I will kill them. But what should I do if they are a prisoner, but don¡¯t want to leave with me?¡± Raphael thought about this for a moment, then looked into Darian¡¯s eyes. ¡°Then you simply must make them.¡± ¡°Your plan of me turning the Aspirants into vampires, how many do I need to turn for it to work.¡± ¡°Hard to say,¡± Raphael replied. ¡°Three may be enough, but four would be ideal. Though know that some you must turn by force.¡± Darian pushed the door open, fake sunlight stinging his eyes. ¡°I guess we should get on with this.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Raphael said. ¡°For this is an important night. One that will see the world forever changed.¡± *** Zander walked toward the clearing, Raphael¡¯s army waiting in the forest behind him. They numbered only a few hundred, yet he was confident in their abilities. Training with that brutish orc had seen their warriors gain new skills, and he always had faith in the power of the dryads and their spells. Yet he could sense deep fear coming from them. All fey were linked to the fey realm, and that is where their souls would return for rebirth once they died. But not them. The fey queen had cursed all her outcasts with true death. Even now he could feel the brand she left on his soul. Death would mean the end of them, just as it was for the mortal races. Many of Zander¡¯s fellow fey had struggled with this fact, but he did not. Death or not, he only believed in one thing. Victory. His pulse quickened as he spotted the gargantuan fort ahead. It stuck out like an ulcer on the mountainside, its dark spires clawing at the starless sky. He would revel in destroying such an ugly sight. But his battle with the queen had taught him that despite his strength, there was always someone stronger. He thought about Raphael¡¯s newest curiosity, the vampire Darian. He¡¯d heard¡­dark things about the boy from some of his fellow satyrs. But he trusted Raphael¡¯s judgment. Though he wondered how his friend could have such faith in one man. ¡°Either way,¡± he said to himself. ¡°I¡¯ve got a job to do.¡± *** Oliver walked the fortresses walls, his lungs filling with the chill night air. Fresh snow coated the field beyond, ice crystals glinting within it like a sea of jewels. He¡¯d taken to walking at night ever since his time in that accursed swamp. And being back among the ranks of the undead, it was almost like he never left. The arch lich had given him a position within the cult, just as Oliver requested. But Oliver wished his demonic handler had told him the demon God and the lich cult were already allies. Seeing demon forged weapons in their armory had been quite the shock at first. But the arch lich didn¡¯t seem to know Oliver was one of their agents. And having delivered the Soul of Damnation to him, the arch lich was quick to forget Oliver even existed. He spent all his time in the inner sanctum with the artifact, testing the limits of its power. Victoria had been too weak to use the divine jewel to its full potential, but the arch lich was far stronger than her. Speaking of Victoria. Oliver shivered. He¡¯d heard from the men at the southern fort that some kind of madman had carved his way through their ranks. Some pale faced, white haired ¡°demon¡± who¡¯d ripped out men¡¯s throats. Oliver knew of only one person who fit that description, and thinking about him chilled his bones more than the surrounding winter air. He¡¯d fought the monster once back in the swamp and survived, but that had been partially with luck. If they fought again, Oliver knew he stood little chance of winning. But there is no way he can get to me here. Not with the lich cults army or the dwarven mercenaries in the way. ¡°Ah, and just when I was thinking about you, dear friend,¡± Oliver called, noticing Sven standing ahead. The old dwarf groaned. ¡°Mr. Swink,¡± he said, tearing his eyes away from the empty field. Oliver joined him, his gloved hands cold against the stone edge of the battlement. ¡°Standing watch?¡± The dwarf eyed the rows of skeleton archers that lined the walls. ¡°I prefer someone with¡­fresh eyes watch the western approach.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that what underlings are for?¡± Oliver looked into the courtyard. There were dozens of tents spread out, arranged all in neat rows. He wasn¡¯t sure how many dwarves were down there, but it had to be at least a hundred. Sven shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m giving them the night off. The battle at the southern fort still wears on them.¡± ¡°Psh.¡± Oliver waived a dismissive hand at the dwarf. ¡°They should get over it. We¡¯re about to be at war, and that means they¡¯re bound to see worse.¡± ¡°Be that as it may, I¡ª¡± the dwarf stopped and turned sharply. ¡°There¡¯s a man approaching.¡± Oliver followed the old dwarf¡¯s gaze. ¡°Is that a satyr?¡± he asked. He¡¯d only seen them in picture books he stole as a child. ¡°It is.¡± Sven backed away and began yelling at the undead and living alike. Oliver stared down at the lone goatman. He must have lost his mind, coming here alone. The satyr spread his legs and fell into a fighting stance, one Oliver had seen some of the monks back home do. Then his fist began to glow bright orange, the air around him shimmering. Well whatever he¡¯s doing, it won¡¯t matter from this distance. He smirked. What was one man going to do? But then the world flashed, bright like after a lightning strike, and the entire wall to Oliver¡¯s right burst apart. B2 Chapter 36 - And Then there was War The night air was dead silent as Darian stepped through the portal. The others had all gone through before him, and they stood like statues beside the trunk of a felled oak tree. Two Dryads stood not far from them, watching the forest with keen eyes. They must be the scouts Raphael mentioned. They all turned as Darian approached. Their mission in concept was simple. They were to infiltrate the Lich Cult¡¯s fortress via a back entrance. Once inside, they would seek out the Aspirant of Fire within. If he was an enemy, Darian was to kill him. Otherwise, by choice or force, he was to be taken to the sanctuary. Where I will turn him into a vampire. Once again Darian questioned the morality of his actions. But if he did not defeat Aspirants, the others would kill him. And now that the Gods were involved, he needed strong allies. Part of him still doubted Raphael¡¯s plan, but he would follow along for now. ¡°I¡¯ve never heard a night so silent,¡± Lucia mumbled, Almeda at her side. ¡°It as if nothing lives. Even the wind is absent from this place.¡± ¡°It¡¯s an omen,¡± Jorg said, his eyes taken by a warrior¡¯s resolve. ¡°But we must press on.¡± Alistair exchanged words with the scouts, and then the group set off for the fortress. ¡°This tunnel you mentioned, are you sure it hasn¡¯t collapsed?¡± Darian asked the pale faced necromancer. He¡¯d recovered some from his imprisonment, but his cheeks were still sunken, and a sickly edge still claimed his features. ¡°The Old Empire built their fortresses to last, and this included their secret escape tunnels.¡± He smirked. ¡°Just be glad one of my rather drunk colleagues showed it to me. Otherwise, we¡¯d have to take our chances going through the front gate.¡± There came a booming crash in the distance, and for a second the night sky erupted with light. ¡°What was that?¡± Darian asked, noting that Yazliar was grinning. ¡°Zander,¡± Almeda answered. ¡°The assault has begun.¡± *** Oliver coughed, his ears ringing and his head pounding like he¡¯d taken an axe to the skull. ¡°What happened?¡± he called, his voice lost behind the rumble of stone and the shout of frantic orders. He leaned onto his elbow and pushed up, his eyes peering through the dusty haze as the camp below sprung into life. The undead and dwarves were swarming the battlements, but an entire section of the wall was missing. Blown away as if a giant¡¯s fist had crushed it. On his feet, Oliver stared at the gaping hole. How? He turned and noticed the satyr man was still standing in the field. But the ground before him was torn apart, the earth parted all the way to the wall. Then, with horror rising in his chest, Oliver watched as the satyr prepared another punch. *** Zander focused on his fist and activated [Lion¡¯s Roar], [Ultimate Strike], and [Sunder]. The combination would guarantee his next attack would both be a projectile and be terribly powerful. He could only use the combination one more time, but his enemies wouldn¡¯t know that. And with three holes blasted in the fortress¡¯ walls, he figured they¡¯d be keen to come out and face him. If any are brave enough. He squinted at the fortress. The forces of the Lich Cult and dwarves could maybe whittle him down eventually, but Zander figured he could slaughter most of them by himself. None but the Lich lord himself could pose a threat to him. But this was to be Darian¡¯s test. Though I am to ensure his success. Inhaling, Zander launched his next attack. *** Oliver dove behind a wagon just as the wall exploded. He kept his head down, but he could hear the stone collide with flesh and bone. Screams were cut short, and within moments chaos had swallowed the world. Jumping to his feet, he observed the carnage, his heart thumping in his throat. Many of the tents had been flattened, and torn bodies littered the ground. The undead, who felt no fear, soldiered on. They marched in lockstep for the gate, others heading for what was left of the wall. But with two holes in it, the integrity was starting to fail. As he was watching, more than one section crumbled on its own. ¡°To arms!¡± came the voice of Trallis, one of the dwarven commanders. The old grey headed dwarf was stood atop a stack of crates, bellowing orders at his men, his golden hammer in hand. He waved it about like a child does a stick, no one heeding his words. But Oliver couldn¡¯t blame them. He¡¯d be running if his legs hadn¡¯t turned into water. Then came a third, monstrous boom. The gate shuttered, then exploded in a flash of golden light. Wood, stone, and bodies came flying through the air like arrows. They struck man and monster, a Bone Knight crumbling as a hunk of rock caved its chest in. Worst was Trallis, whose head was blown clean off by a wayward timber from the gate. Someone slammed into him, and Oliver fell. Tasting the cold, wet earth, he looked up to see several of the dwarves fleeing for the inner fortress. He was keen to follow them, but what good could extra walls do? That thing outside would kill them all. I have to escape! Oliver pulled himself upright, his whole body shaking from fear. But he knew the old fortress had an escape tunnel. Though I don¡¯t know if the tunnel is stable enough to take, and I have no idea where it goes. ¡°More approaching!¡± someone cried from near the wall. ¡°Form ranks!¡± another useless voice called.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. ¡°Screw this,¡± Oliver said, turning for the fortress. He would take his chances with the tunnel. *** The scouts led them through the forest for over an hour, silent all the while. Everyone was running, Jorg¡¯s armor clinking in the dark. He and Darian felt no fatigue, but the others were robust. Even the massive orc was bounding through the forest with surprising speed and grace. But Alistair was still diminished from his prior imprisonment. Almeda kept casting a stamina restoring spell on him to keep him going, but his breathing was ragged. Eventually Darian spotted the fortress ahead¡ªa great mass of stone that stuck up from the mountainside. The closer they got to the distant fortress, the more Darian¡¯s heart raced. Not from fear, but from excitement. His time within the sanctuary had been nice. Having a true break from conflict had been welcome, but his body yearned for battle. In his old life, getting out of bed had been a struggle all its own. He¡¯d always assumed he would enjoy a life without conflict. Searching for such a life was the very reason he set off from Fria¡¯s village. But if bloodshed was going to find him, he would welcome it with open arms. They passed through a clearing, a rock face staring at them from the other side. The cliff was oddly shaped, cutting across a wide topped hill that looked like a miniature plateau. ¡°The tunnel comes out here,¡± Alistair said, wiping the sweat from his brow, his hands gripping his bent knees. Yazliar stepped forward cautiously, his massive blade ready to obliterate any potential enemies. Lucia and the dryad scouts spread out and formed a perimeter, but Darian was certain the area was clear. ¡°And you are certain?¡± Almeda asked. ¡°As one can be.¡± Alistair approached the cliff. ¡°Lallet,¡± Darian called. The little fairy had been following behind them the whole time, watching so silently Darian had almost forgotten she was with them. ¡°Tell Raphael we are nearing the fortress.¡± Lallet closed her eyes, and Darian figured she must be communicating with her sister. Though he wondered what good such a thing would even do. Raphael was far away, and any help he sent would probably arrive too late. ¡°Where is the door?¡± Yazliar asked, his voice edged by impatience. ¡°Perhaps the flesh shaper lies?¡± Lucia said, her fingers tight against her bowstring. Alistair simply sighed and kept running his hands along the cliff face. ¡°Allow me to assist.¡± Almeda stepped behind the necromancer and sunk her hands into the frosted soil. ¡°What is she doing?¡± Jorg wondered aloud. ¡°Searching with roots,¡± she quietly answered. ¡°Seeing if I can feel a door or tunnel beyond this cliff.¡± They stood in silence and waited, the only sound coming from the gentle buzz of Lallet¡¯s wings. ¡°There is something there.¡± Almeda closed her eyes. The rock wall shook, parting in the center as a gate appeared before them. It opened slowly, tearing through the cliff wall and sending chunks of rock to scatter the ground. ¡°Nice work,¡± Alistair said, stepping back. ¡°I did nothing.¡± Almeda stood, her body rigid. ¡°Someone else opened the door.¡± *** The dwarf¡¯s sword bounced off Zander¡¯s arm. Smiling at the little man¡¯s confusion, he tore his head off with a swift backhand. Then he kicked, crushing a Death Knight¡¯s leg. His satyr warriors finished it off as he pressed forward, his fists ripping through bodies with each punch. His skills [Impenetrable Bastion] and [Vanquish the Meek] would render anyone lower than level thirty effectively useless against him. Their strikes would harmlessly slide off his skin, hitting him like a gentle breeze. Which meant that for the next ten minutes, the rabble before him was helpless. And when the skills wore off, he would simply activate them again. Really, why did Raphael not allow me to crush these vermin on my own? He¡¯d known the God of Seasons for over a hundred years, yet his decisions still confused the old satyr. Ah well, soon our work here will be done. More and more undead were pouring from the fort, with dwarves bolstering their numbers. Yet their magic and might meant nothing in the face of such power. Even if one of them managed to land a direct blow, it would be like the bite of an ant. The things you make me do, Lord Raphael. *** Oliver stumbled up the steps toward the inner fortress. As he reached the peak, he glanced back. The area in front of the fort was filled with bodies. Most belonged to the undead, with swathes of zombies and skeletons decorating the ground. But many belonged to the mercenaries, and their blood painted the snow red. ¡°Fools,¡± Oliver whispered, his breath misting. He turned for the door when the stone in his pocket began to burn. Then, from a nearby swirling mass of solid darkness, the demon Azlar appeared. ¡°What is happening?¡± He asked, the black tattoos across his red face swirling. Oliver wanted nothing more than to run, but Azlar held Oliver¡¯s soul. ¡°The fortress is under attack.¡± He gestured at the wrecked outer wall. ¡°Lord Atarax will not be pleased by this.¡± The tattoos settled as dark circles around the demon¡¯s amber eyes. ¡°But who attacks? The Justicars?¡± ¡°No! Some mad goatman and his fellow barn animals. It¡¯s him who punched all those holes into the wall.¡± Azlar¡¯s face went slack. ¡°Satyrs? Here? Are you sure?¡± ¡°See for yourself,¡± Oliver said. ¡°I plan on getting out of here.¡± ¡°Fine,¡± the demon said, a wicked smile exposing his pointed teeth. ¡°Your time here was nearing an end as it is. But we will be speaking again, once this is over.¡± Oliver wanted to respond with a scathing retort. After all, the demons didn¡¯t inform him they had plans with the lich cult. They¡¯ve always been playing me, putting me wherever they please. Like a toy. The black stone in his pocket burned. It was probably how the demon teleported to him so casually. Perhaps I will lose it in the escape? He grinned, noting the demon had his eyes fixed on another. *** Zander¡¯s palm struck the Bone Golem in the ribs, and the beast¡¯s body shattered into dust. A dozen more of them, and perhaps they could manage to scratch me. ¡°Commander!¡± one of his men called. ¡°What is that?¡± The sky above the fortress¡¯ inner wall blazed bright crimson, and a figure took to the air, moving so swiftly only Zander could see it. ¡°Move!¡± he called, but he knew it was too late. He activated his skills [Enlightened Defense] and [Elemental Bastion] before ducking low. The world erupted into flame, and all the men around him, allies and enemies, were reduced to ash in an instant. Then a figure came hurtling down from the heavens, his demonic wings leaving a jet of flame behind him. B2 Chapter 37 - Dirty Work The massive door within the cliff yawed wide, frantic voices from beyond sounding through the tumble of falling rocks. ¡°Prepare a perimeter!¡± a man yelled from within the dark tunnel. ¡°We must hold this position for his lordship.¡± Darian turned to the others and nodded at them. The time to fight had come. They¡¯d discussed prior to coming through the portals what everyone¡¯s role would be, and Darian grinned as he saw each of them prepare accordingly. Lucia and the two dryad scouts fanned out wide, their bow strings pulled back. She was the weakest and lowest level of the party, but her arrows had powerful enchantments. She was to target mages or other distant foes to keep the pressure off the others. And while she did that, Darian and Yazliar would take up the center. They were both fast and strong fighters, capable of taking out foes in quick succession. But to keep from getting overwhelmed, Jorg would stay by Darian¡¯s side. With his holy magic, he could clear out swarms of lesser undead with ease. And with his enchanted shield and Darian buffing his defense, the paladin could serve as a proper tank. Alistair was to hang back near Lucia and keep her protected with his skeleton summons. If they needed help, or came across a large group of foes, he would unleash his undead hordes and buff them with necromantic magic. He also had his unique skill, which allowed him to summon a Bone Golem. Beyond that, his dark magic could heal Jorg and Darian, making the necromancer serve as a healer and support. Finally, Almeda would follow behind Darian and the frontline fighters. She had powerful buffing spells, and her offensive magic was significantly stronger than anything the others could muster. But she had extreme limits on the number of casts per day on her offensive spells, which meant she needed to save them. If strong opponents showed themselves, Almeda could bind them with summoned roots or other dangers. But if none appeared, she was to keep applying buffs to the fighters while healing Yazliar when necessary. With everyone in position, Darian took to the center of the field, his sword at the ready. Jorg took a spot on Darian¡¯s left, while the hulking orc with his massive sword stood on his right. Then, when the first few skeletons stumbled out into the night, they launched their attack. A tall man wearing the black robes of a necromancer stood further in the tunnel, two armored and shielded dwarves by his side. His eyes went wide as he saw them charging for his minions, but he didn¡¯t have time to give orders. Or a warning. Yazliar¡¯s sword slammed into a skeleton¡¯s shoulder and its body exploded into splinters. The undead warrior beside it raised its shield, but Darian¡¯s sword slashed just above it, severing the monster¡¯s head at the neck. And then Jorg came barreling through, his mace bashing two of the undead aside, giving Darian room to advance. He ducked as a bolt of flame shot from the necromancer¡¯s hand. But keeping his momentum, he spun around a bone knight and drove his sword down in a blinding arc. The dwarf warrior¡¯s shield blocked the strike just in time, but the force of the blow nearly forced him onto his knees. Out of my way. Darian gripped the top rim of the shield and pulled, tearing the man off his feet. With an outstretched leg, he tripped the warrior. As he sprawled out on the ground, the bone knight beside him fell against the tunnel¡¯s wall, its chest caved in by Yazliar¡¯s gargantuan sword. ¡°To me!¡± the necromancer called, dark magic swirling from his fingers. If Darian didn¡¯t stop him, he was likely to summon reinforcements. An arrow whistled through the air, the barbed tip thunking into the necromancer¡¯s chest. He stumbled back, gasping, his face twisted in shock. But the expression didn¡¯t last long. Darian activated [Dash Strike] and burst forward. The necromancer¡¯s head tumbled to the ground a moment later. Three death knights loomed ahead, taking up the rear of the necromancer¡¯s detachment. Several zombies and skeletons stood before them, the death knights¡¯ aura buffing them. Orbs of light formed beneath them, the spheres pulsing once before they erupted in a burst of holy energy. Several of the lesser undead were reduced to ash instantly, with many more falling to a mighty swing from Yazliar¡¯s sword. Darian glanced behind him. Both of the dwarf warriors were dead, and the undead remaining were being mopped up by Almeda, Lucia not far behind her. But with his back clear, he could focus all his attention on what was in front of him. With Jorg roaring beside him, the two crashed into a death knight with sword and mace. The blows were blocked by a thick shield of darkened metal, but their combined strength forced the monster back. There was a time when even a bone knight, the lesser of the two undead knight variants, was too much for him to handle. But even if he¡¯d been alone, the undead before him would still be nothing but a speedbump. It tumbled back after another set of strikes, and as Jorg moved to finish it, Darian deflected a slash from his right. The death knight roared, its blazing eyes burning brighter. Dark crystals formed around its head, the needles threatening to skewer Darian from above. But he activated [Blood Shield] on the pools of crimson at his back, and the disk of magically hardened blood hovered above his head.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. As the death knight drove its sword down, the crystals shot with it. But Darian¡¯s shield blocked two from striking him, and the rest thudded harmlessly onto the tunnel floor. He deflected the sword wide and slashed up and into a gap in the monster¡¯s armor. A human opponent would have been finished from such a strike, but the beast persisted. It howled, a wave of dark energy spilling from its body. Darian could hear zombies circling behind him, but then the familiar sound of Jorg¡¯s mace crushing skulls reached his ears. With an electricity empowered thrust, Darian drove his sword upward with blinding speed. The tip pierced the knight¡¯s head and burst out the other side of its helmet. Freeing it with a twist, Darian turned to face the final death knight, but Yazliar had already finished it.
Enemies Defeated [Necromancer Lv. 15] [Death Knight Lv. 16] [Skeleton Warrior Lv. 4] Class XP Gained: 86 Progress to Class Level 12 (733/850)
Silence and the sweet smell of blood settled within the tunnel. ¡°Is anyone injured?¡± Darian asked. ¡°As if weaklings like this could harm me,¡± Yazliar said, grunting as he hefted his sword onto his shoulder. ¡°Arm¡¯s a bit sore, but I¡¯m fine.¡± Jorg looked down at the bodies. ¡°Whatever¡¯s going on up there must have the Lich Cult frightened. They are already preparing an escape route. But they¡¯ve always been slippery cowards.¡± Alistair approached, pausing as he reached the necromancer¡¯s body. ¡°The survival of the cult¡¯s leaders is all that matters to them anymore. Once, they were a haven for outcasts and the less fortunate. But now they¡¯ve aligned themselves with the enemies of humanity.¡± His eyes glistened. ¡°Some of these men I once called brother, but they¡¯ve made their choices.¡± He stepped past them. ¡°And these are the consequences.¡± ¡°The scouts will remain to guard the exit,¡± Lucia said, pulling her enchanted arrow from the necromancer¡¯s chest. ¡°Then we will press on.¡± Darian followed Alistair down the tunnel, the others falling in behind him. *** Zander and Azlar circled each other, battle raging all around them. The forces of the Lich Cult had organized into proper battle lines, and their sheer numbers were forcing Zander¡¯s men onto the backfoot. But Zander couldn¡¯t worry about them. Not with such a powerful foe standing before him. ¡°My lord had his suspicions, but this confirms it,¡± Zander said, keeping a careful eye on Azlar¡¯s crooked blade. ¡°The demons really have become desperate.¡± Azlar hissed, his black tattoos writhing like tendrils across his face. ¡°Desperate? But it is you and your kind who have hidden in the shadows. You scurry like rats, but your extermination has finally come, coward. Zander lowered his stance. ¡°Coward? As I recall, it was you who fled the battlefield that day. You and your spineless father.¡± In the battle between Argus¡¯ alliance and the demon God, Azlar had been there. He fought at his father¡¯s side as a companion. But when the battle started to turn in Argus and his allies¡¯ favor, the young demon prince fled the field. He was weaker than Zander then, but new power surged from the demon. This would be a tricky battle. Azlar¡¯s face twitched. ¡°We were outnumbered. It was a withdrawal, nothing more.¡± ¡°A rout is a rout, no matter how you spin it. And you cowards fled after only one of your number tasted Argus¡¯ blade.¡± The demon snarled. It had been Azlar¡¯s sister who died by the Sun God¡¯s hand, and Zander knew that despite their depravity, the demon God¡¯s family was closely knit. ¡°My sister died bravely,¡± Azlar inched forward. ¡°Did she? Then why did her father and brother run away with such cowardice?¡± Azlar was a mage who excelled at medium to long distance engagements. And though he wasn¡¯t entirely incompetent up close, that was where Zander specialized. If he could get him to rush in, the fight would be his. The demon prepared to charge forward, rage painting his face, but then he backed away, his eyes growing stern. ¡°Your words are meaningless, filth.¡± He took flight, his leathery wings taking him upwards and out of Zander¡¯s reach. ¡°And think of my sister as you burn.¡± Bright amber light swallowed the sky, and a rain of molten metal shards fell, skewering both Zander¡¯s men and the Lich Cult¡¯s army. And as man and beast died, Zander jumped through the air, his fists blazing with energy. *** The tunnel slowly rose as they walked, the wide walls pressing in tighter. Eventually only two of them could walk side by side, and so Darian marched alongside the necromancer. He studied the man as they went, noting the cold look in his eyes. It seemed the joking, starving man he¡¯d found in that cell had been replaced with someone else. Someone who knew dirty work lay ahead of them. The dim light of candles pierced the gloom. Alistair¡¯s glowing, crystal tipped staff had been their guide, but now they could all see the opening that lay ahead. ¡°Get ready,¡± Darian said. ¡°I hear voices.¡± They paused, letting Jorg shuffle up to Darian¡¯s side. And together, they inched forward. ¡°Let me through!¡± came a desperate voice. With his stomach rumbling, Darian raised a hand, the party stalling behind him. I recognize that voice. His fangs emerged, hunger coursing through his veins. ¡°Either let me through, or I cut my way out!¡± Darian charged through the open doorway, the others rushing up behind him. And as he burst into the hall, he saw him, standing there with eyes widened in horror. ¡°Oliver,¡± Darian growled. The man took a back step, glanced at the dwarves guarding the tunnel, and then ran. But Darian wouldn¡¯t let him escape this time. B2 Chapter 38 - A Cornered Rat Oliver ran through the fortress, the sounds of battle growing more distant with each frantic step. Undead, necromancers and mercenaries flooded the ancient stronghold. Some set up defensive positions in the halls while others rushed outside. None of them seemed too concerned with Oliver, which was fine by him. He turned a corner and passed by the Lich Cult¡¯s barracks. Many necromancers in training or hired hands were still putting on their gear. Crystal tipped staffs glinted in the candlelight as grim-faced men and women slapped on armor or fastened blades to their belts. The whole scene reminded Oliver of Lonelen¡¯s first battle with the demons. A memory that still chilled his bones. ¡°Where are you going?¡± came a silky voice on the edge of agitation. ¡°Away,¡± Oliver responded, doing his best to push forward. Nali stepped in front of him, her two death knight bodyguards standing like sinister statues at her back. The woman had been a bother since he first arrived. She was one of three senior necromancers at the fort, and she was the one who interrogated Oliver upon his arrival. Despite handing over the powerful artifact, The Soul of Damnation, to her, she still suggested the cult execute him. She said he couldn¡¯t be trusted, and even if she was right, it still annoyed him. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be doing something important right about now?¡± Oliver asked. Nali smirked. ¡°I¡¯m waiting for the others.¡± The fortress walls shook, dust falling from the rafters. ¡°Lord Calhaven wants us to eliminate the leader of these uninvited guests.¡± Oliver didn¡¯t doubt Nali and the other necromancers were powerful, but even they wouldn¡¯t stand the slightest of chances against that satyr monstrosity outside. It was like looking at a God. Oliver shivered, memories of the laboratory flashing before his eyes. Perhaps the crazed doctor and his attempts to create an artificial God weren¡¯t so mad after all. ¡°Well, I wish you luck. I will be making my exit.¡± Oliver again went to move past Nali, but her death knights formed a barrier. A few of the other necromancers and mercenaries stopped what they were doing, the air growing tense. ¡°Do you really want to do this? Here, and especially right now?¡± Oliver asked. He hadn¡¯t used any of his unique skills yet, which meant he still had two uses of each. With [Phase] alone, he could slip past her. And if he had to, his fourth and secret unique skill would be enough to force his way through. She tilted her head to side, then clicked her tongue. ¡°A fight with you would only be a drain on our resources. But know that if you ever set foot here again, I will kill you myself.¡± I sincerely doubt you¡¯ll still be around for that. ¡°A fair compromise. Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me.¡± Oliver delivered his finest mock bow to date and then scampered past the crone and down the hall. As much as he wished to see her and the others flattened under that satyr¡¯s hoof, he had to make haste. Not much further now. The escape tunnel was just ahead, tucked away in a secluded corner of the fortress. But as Oliver drew nearer to his salvation, he overheard the grumble of dwarven voices. ¡°Shut it,¡± one said. ¡°Or you¡¯ll be going out the front with the others.¡± ¡°Fine,¡± a gruff voice responded. ¡°But where is Alveth? He and the rest should have been here by now.¡± Oliver stepped around the corner and was met with several sets of uncertain eyes. ¡°What¡¯s this then?¡± one of the dwarves said, tugging at his beard. In his hand was a strange metallic tube, a metal ring about its bottom. The stunted man looped his finger within the ring, and Oliver spotted a trigger there. Others might have thought it was some kind of crossbow, but the air tasted of the demon¡¯s blasting powder. He¡¯d heard rumors they were making weapons with it, and if he had to guess, the length of metal tucked against the dwarf¡¯s shoulder was one such device. ¡°I know you,¡± a fat bellied dwarf said, muscling to the front. ¡°Oliver Swink, or am I mistaken?¡±If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Oliver adjusted his shirt, his fingers damp from soaked sweat. ¡°I see my reputation precedes me.¡± He took a half step forward. ¡°You see, I need down this particular tunnel and I will no longer tolerate any obstacles.¡± This gathering of dwarves would not move for him, that much he could already tell. But all that meant was that he had to move them by force. The fat dwarf bellowed, his fellows following suit. ¡°You¡¯re reputation? That you¡¯re a slimy worm, not fit to be stepped on? Yes it does ¡®proceed¡¯ you.¡± Two of the dwarves raised their metal tubes at Oliver, demonic runes glowing on the long barrels. ¡°Let me through!¡± Oliver cried. They stood firm. This is your last chance. ¡°Either let me through, or I cut my way out!¡± He¡¯d lost his weapon when the satyr launched his first attack, but something in his voice must have given the dwarves pause. They froze, a few looking away from him and into the darkness beyond. He smirked. His way out was finally within reach. But then someone came rushing from within the tunnel. His hair was milk white, and his skin pale. His blade whipped out and deflected a strike, but his eyes were latched onto Oliver. His body sunk, the icy chill of dread seizing his limbs as recognition flashed into his mind. ¡°Oliver,¡± the man growled, fangs bursting from his mouth, his crimson eyes narrowed with murderous intent. Without thinking, Oliver ran around the dwarves and down a dimly lit hall on the opposite side of the chamber. He had no idea where he was going, but he had to move. The cries of death and battle soon resounded behind him, and he nearly slipped as the corridor made a sudden turn. With fire in his lungs, he sprinted for the door ahead. It was wide and oval in shape, with a cracked gap in the stone above it, a bit of pale light poking through. But as Oliver drew closer, his eyes picked out the snaking shape of iron chains. They wrapped around themselves in a twisted mess across the door¡¯s handles, forming a great knot that dangled near the grime smeared floor. Sliding to a halt, Oliver pulled on the chains, but no amount of tugging would be getting this door open. With no other choice, he turned on his heels, ready to find another way out. But Darian was right behind him. He activated his unique skill [Phase] and passed through the door. The chamber beyond was massive, a series of pillars disappearing into the darkness on both sides. A naked chandelier dangled above, the room lit by a strip of starlight from a hole in the far wall. Oliver glanced behind himself just as something smashed into the door. It rattled on its hinges but held firm, another blow sending waves of dust to the floor. It shook once more but then lay still. Silence settled in and Oliver slowly backed away. The door was thick and expertly built. Even a bone golem would have trouble smashing its way through. His eyes adjusting to the light, he spotted the outline of another door at the other end of the chamber. With his heart pounding in his throat, he sprinted for it. Once he was about halfway there he stopped, a chill running down his spine. It was only at the edge of his hearing, but he swore he heard the flutter of wings. He spun, a dark shape falling from the crack above the far door. The hole was too small for a man to fit through, even if someone was capable of jumping that high. But something was in the room with him, he could feel it. ¡°You¡¯ve run as far as you¡¯ll ever go, Oliver,¡± came a voice from the shadows. Oliver glared into the darkness, but then the voice appeared behind him. ¡°I¡¯ve thought of you each time, did you know that?¡± He backed toward the center of the room, spinning, his eyes straining to see, to make out some shape in the gloom. ¡°Each time?¡± he swallowed, his mouth suddenly dry. ¡°Each time I¡¯ve fed.¡± The hair on Oliver¡¯s neck shot up and his body screamed at him to flee. But then he saw him, standing only a few strides away, his dark armor shrouded in shadow. ¡°I¡¯ve no quarrel with you,¡± Oliver stammered, circling away. ¡°That fat bastard and Harper had it coming. I only did what I had to do.¡± Darian laughed, the sound bone dry. ¡°Gustan was a kind man, and he deserved better. But Harper? It would take more than a rat like you to kill her.¡± So, the reports weren¡¯t wrong. She really is still alive. ¡°Still.¡± Oliver gulped, his arms raised, his hands open to show he wasn¡¯t armed. ¡°Why not let me go? That was all in the past.¡± He looked the blood drinking beast up and down. He¡¯d hardly escaped during their first encounter and Aspirants did nothing but grow in strength. If they were to fight again under normal terms, Oliver wouldn¡¯t stand a chance. ¡°It was all in the past, this is true.¡± Darian strode forward, the air split by the sound of drawn steel. ¡°But even if I could forgive you for killing Gustan, I can¡¯t let you leave.¡± Oliver glanced at the wall behind Darian. He had one use left of [Phase] and two uses for his other unique skills. He could try and go through the wall, but the fort was built on a mountainside. For all he knew, beyond that wall was nothing but a sheer drop. No, and he hated to admit this, but he would have to stand and fight. ¡°You called me a rat, correct?¡± Oliver lowered his stance and touched the power deep inside him. ¡°Then let me show you how a cornered rat fights.¡± B2 Chapter 39 - Limit Break Darian launched his first attack with such blinding speed that Oliver was forced to activate [Phase] just to avoid being skewered. But the blood drinker wasn¡¯t giving him time to recover. He spun on his heels, the tip of his sword slicing across Oliver¡¯s arm just as the duration for [Phase] timed out. Hissing through the pain, he reached out. All he had to do was touch him once and the fight would be over. With his unique skill [Knowledge Transfer] he could flood Darian¡¯s mind with all of Oliver¡¯s memories, rendering him helpless. But the beast was too quick, leaping away just as Oliver¡¯s fingers were about to brush his shoulder. ¡°Harper told me about your tricks,¡± Darian said, twirling his blade. ¡°Is that so?¡± Oliver cursed the wench once more. He would have to track her down once this was over. ¡°But she couldn¡¯t tell you about all of them.¡± He hated using it, but he had little choice. It would keep him from being able to use his other skills, but no one who¡¯d whiteness its perfection had lived, and the Aspirant would be no exception. With a final burst of resolve, he activated his secret unique skill, [Limit Break]. The room lit in a torrent of golden light as immeasurable power coursed through Oliver¡¯s veins. Magic energy poured from deep within his soul, coating his body in a shimmering brilliance. The strain on his body would prevent him from using any skills, but he wouldn¡¯t need them. As he was now, even the likes of Victoria the Grave Aspirant wouldn¡¯t be a match for him. Darian took a back step, his sword raised as he fell into a defensive stance. But it would do him little good. This unique skill was the culmination of the doctor¡¯s work. He wished to create an artificial God, one who could stand against the pretenders and the Aspirants alike. And standing before Darian now was that dream realized, a human born of this world who had his shackles shattered. Out of all the children the doctor experimented on, only Oliver had obtained this skill. And he would use it to slay a God in the making. ¡°Remember when I crush your skull between my fingers that I offered to leave of my own accord,¡± Oliver said, steam rising from his body as wave after wave of arcane energy pumped wild through his veins. Darian did not reply. With a bestial cry, Oliver launched himself at the red eyed monster. Stone split beneath his boots, the chamber a blur as he shot like lightning at his target. But then something smashed into his gut and he rolled back, the air squeezed from his lungs. On one knee, he looked up expecting to see that he¡¯d been struck by a giant, but there was only Darian. ¡°You had me worried for a moment,¡± Darian said, sticking his arcane blade into the stone at his feet. ¡°But you really are weak, aren¡¯t you?¡± Oliver gritted his teeth and launched forward once more. Air whipped at his ears and he ducked low, planning on smashing the insolent fool to the ground. But when he collided with the man¡¯s waist, he simply slid back a few strides. A knee came up and blasted Oliver in the jaw, sending the world into a spinning wash of black and gold. The taste of copper filled his mouth as he pushed up from the floor, but then a shin cracked into his ribs, and he rolled. ¡°I pity you, in a way,¡± Darian said, his voice barely audible over the ringing in Oliver¡¯s ears. ¡°I know all too well the pain of weakness.¡± I will not die here. Not after all I¡¯ve done to survive. His insides felt like they¡¯d been reduced to powder, but still Oliver rose on shaking legs. He gripped his split ribs and spat, Darian¡¯s eyes latching onto the blood as it splattered across the floor. ¡°You and your kind think you can do whatever you want,¡± Oliver widened his stance, readying himself for one final push. ¡°But you¡¯re wrong. Sooner or later, you¡¯ll all taste the coldness of the grave.¡± Victoria, Darian, the demon God and his blasted son¡ªthey could all burn. They would all burn. Starting with the man before him. Never in Oliver¡¯s life had he ever given anything his all. Even when the doctor beat him and the other children for failing their duties, he still always slacked off to some degree. And being a hired assassin and a demon¡¯s plaything had never changed that. But here and now, he would give everything. All that he had, and all that he could be. He activated [Limit Break] once more, his body nearly bursting from the might gushing from his blazing soul. He would not survive this, but neither would Darian. With a battle cry, he catapulted his broken body at his enemy. All it would take was a single strike and it would be over. He was power itself now, invincibility made manifest. Burning like the sun, he launched what would be his final attack. A hand flew out in a blur and snatched Oliver by the throat. His body crashed to a halt against it, and though he twisted and squirmed, the hand did not move.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. The immense power of [Limit Break] slowly leaked from Oliver¡¯s body as the life was choked out of him. Darian leaned closer, his eyes narrowed to harsh slits, his fangs a finger¡¯s length from Oliver¡¯s neck. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but there was only ever one way this was going to end.¡± Oliver kicked, but his strength had left him. He tried to cry out, to scream for someone, anyone to save him. But then darkness swallowed his vision, and the last thing he saw was the descent of two razor sharp fangs. *** Zander tumbled back, a searing gash blazing white hot down his chest. He cursed his incompetence, then ducked as a spear of flame hurtled overhead. Azlar was hurling insults from above, but Zander couldn¡¯t hear them over the sound of his men¡¯s retreat. They¡¯d fought a hard and good battle, but the dwarves and undead had formed a solid defense. And now organized, his outnumbered troops were being forced back into the forest. He wished to cover their retreat, for each loss stung him deeply, but he could not afford even a moment¡¯s distraction. Azlar launched more flaming spears, their roiling tips missing Zander a little less each time. Damn him! This was not the young demon Zander had crossed all those years ago, but a hardened battlemage. He floated above, his leathery wings keeping him just outside of Zander¡¯s reach. And worse yet, the shuffle of bones from behind told him soon he would have more than just the demon God¡¯s son to deal with. ¡°Your men are scattered to the wind,¡± Azlar cried, a ball of flame hurtling down from his open palm. ¡°Whatever you wished to accomplish here, it has failed.¡± Zander rolled forward, the fur on his back singed as the fireball exploded behind him. Guess you¡¯re still a fool though. This was obviously a distraction. If I¡¯d come with the intent of taking the fort, it would have already been in the palm of my hand. He looked up and grunted. If he was to remove this nuisance, he would have to be prepared to make a sacrifice. He¡¯d so far avoided taking too much damage, but at his rate it was only a matter of time until one of Azlar¡¯s spells would do him in. This fight needed to end, and it needed to end soon. Zander crouched low and focused all his power on his legs. He sucked in a gulp of blood and ash scented air, then lept to the skies. He¡¯d done the same several times already, each time falling just short of reaching the demonic prince. But he¡¯d done so intentionally. He would only get one opportunity to land a decisive blow, and so he had given the demon a false sense of safety. As he reached his previous zenith, he targeted Azlar with [Dash Strike]. A low-level skill, but one that could close the short distance between them. Azlar¡¯s tattooed face twisted in shock as Zander burst through the air, his fists igniting with blazing energy. The demon¡¯s curved blade whipped around, but Zander did not slow or stall his attack. He activated as many defensive skills as he had left, then brought his arm up to block. The sword met his hardened flesh in a flash of sparks, but even the toughest armor could not resist such an immaculate weapon. It carved through Zander¡¯s arm, severing the bone in a font of blood. But the slice had been slowed just enough for Zander¡¯s fist to reach its target. Using [Dragon Soul Strike], [Divine Fist] and [Piercing Lotus], Zander¡¯s knuckles dug into the demon prince¡¯s chest, muscle and bone bursting beneath his fist. Blood spluttered from Azlar¡¯s mouth, and the pair tumbled to the frosty ground below. He did his best to land on his feet, but Zander smashed into the dirt shoulder first. He grunted from the pain and rolled to his feet, using the healing skill [Verdant Waters] to keep from bleeding to death. Doing his best not to look at the stump where his left arm used to be, he marched toward the crumbled form of the demon prince. *** Azlar couldn¡¯t breathe. His hand clutched his chest, but the best his healing magic could do was pump a tiny bit of air into his shattered lungs. It was enough to get him on his feet, but his body throbbed, feeling like he¡¯d been crushed by a mountain. All he wanted to do was collapse where he stood, but death was slogging his way. Zander¡¯s arm was gone, but the stubborn goat hardly seemed to notice. His eyes were firmly locked on his target, and Azlar was forced on the back foot. His wings twitched to life, but his lungs quickly dispelled any notion of flying. Desperate, he raised a shaking palm and launched a fireball. It burst against the satyr¡¯s chest, fire swallowing him. But then it fell from his body, blown away by a sudden gust of magical wind. Some of the Lich Lord¡¯s skeletal forces fell on the wounded monk, but even with one arm they would be but a passing distraction for him. Azlar attempted to run, but his legs were still too weak. With little choice left, he cursed himself and reached out for the soul stone. Normally teleportation magic was a heavy and cumbersome ordeal. It required precise calculations, magical circles, and loads of magic crystals. But his father had created the soul stones to circumnavigate this limitation. They only worked with Aspirants, Gods, or companions, but they allowed near instant teleportation to their location from anywhere in the world. All it required was a small severing of one¡¯s soul, placed in the stone, to work. But his was not in the best of hands. The black disk of obsidian was held by that spineless worm, Oliver. The last Azlar saw him, he was running from the battle. That at least meant he was likely somewhere safe. And even if he¡¯d dropped it somewhere, anywhere was better than where he was. The skeletons around Zander burst apart, the monk¡¯s fist making short work of them. But Azlar was already tugging on the piece of him imbedded within the soul stone. The world flashed, and Azlar grinned as shock engulfed Zander¡¯s face. ¡°Until next time,¡± he said. The monk made one final push forward, but it was too late. Shadows spread across Azlar¡¯s vision, and his body was pulled through the void. *** Azlar blinked at the darkness, his nose twitching as the smell of fresh blood flooded his senses. ¡°Where am I?¡± he asked, doing his best to see in the dim starlight. Then he saw the body. It took him a moment to realize it belonged to Oliver. His neck was torn wide open, blood pooling around his head, his face frozen in a mask of horror. And his chest was split in two, the sound of rabid gnashing coming from the beast that crouched over him. It wiped its mouth, blood stringing down from its chin. In its hands were fleshy chunks, most likely what remained of Oliver¡¯s heart. Azlar stepped back, and the blood drenched man rose to meet him. B2 Chapter 40 - The Only Escape Darian flicked the bits of meat from his hands to the floor, the chunks landing with a wet thud. ¡°Who are you?¡± he asked, wiping the warm blood from his lips. The man before him was around his height and humanoid in shape. He sported a set of dark, leathery wings, and his red-skinned face seemed to flow and shift as black tattoos formed intricate patterns across his flesh. ¡°I am,¡± the man¡¯s eyes flicked to Oliver¡¯s body. ¡°Azlar.¡± Darian stepped forward, Azlar shuffling an equal distance away. He was clutching his ribs, and the blackened armor on his chest was caved in. ¡°Are you a demon?¡± Darian asked. He¡¯d heard of their kind but never laid eyes on one. Azlar nodded. ¡°I am Azlar Almaris, demon prince of the eastern empire.¡± He attempted to stand proud, but a new wave of pain shrunk his posture.
Blood Consumed: Oliver Swink Temporary skill gained: [Limit Break]
Quest completed: Failed Experiment Objective: Kill Oliver Swink Bonus Objective: Consume his blood
Both Darian and Azlar¡¯s eyes moved to the two floating screens. ¡°You¡¯re a companion,¡± Darian stated, Azlar pulling his gaze away from Darian¡¯s rewards. ¡°Indeed.¡± Azlar took another back step, his face a constant pained grimace. ¡°And you are an Aspirant. Darian the vampire.¡± ¡°You seem to know a good deal about me.¡± Darian stepped forward. ¡°How did you get in here? I should have heard you coming.¡± He tilted his head to the side. ¡°Teleportation? It must be.¡± ¡°I have no quarrel with you,¡± Azlar said, slowly shuffling backwards. ¡°Funny,¡± Darian said with a flat smile and a nod at Oliver¡¯s bloody corpse. ¡°He said the same thing.¡± *** Azlar cradled his broken ribs and cursed his rotten luck. That grimy, insignificant bastard! I¡¯d kill him if he weren¡¯t already dead! Of all the places Oliver could have ended up, it just had to be here. Azlar didn¡¯t know what his father¡¯s plans were for the Aspirant of Blood, at least not entirely. But he knew he was ¡°off limits¡±. Though with the way he was looking at Azlar, he doubted he could remain so for long. The vampire shuffled forward, his pupils dilated and his mouth agape, blood still trickling from his chin. Half mad and half rabid, he flicked his wrist and a sphere of shadow appeared above his head. The swirling darkness folded away, revealing a giant bat. Its pale, hungry eyes latched onto Azlar, and he mumbled a curse. ¡°Tell me why you¡¯re here.¡± More shadows appeared across the ground, massive wolves appearing from the writhing blackness. ¡°I will not ask again.¡± Azlar gritted his teeth. If he weren¡¯t injured, he could squash the upstart Aspirant in an instant. But his passive healing and low-tier recovery magic wouldn¡¯t see him at full strength for days. But he was Azlar Almaris, proud son of the demon God himself, and he would not be intimidated. *** Darian listened to the demon¡¯s hissing breath. Broken ribs, several if I had to guess. And probably a fractured sternum too. He sniffed, the scent of charred fur and sweat filling his nose. Maybe he fought Zander? The demon seems incredibly strong from what I can tell. Only someone around Zander¡¯s level could have injured him. He waited for the demon to reply. With Oliver¡¯s blood filling his belly, he had little need of another meal. And his true target was the freeing¡ªor killing¡ªof the Flame Aspirant. He¡¯d already left his party behind in search of Oliver, and so future delays would need to be limited. If a fight could be avoided, he wouldn¡¯t complain. ¡°You should know better than to threaten someone like me,¡± the demon said, doing his best to stand fully upright. ¡°Even wounded, I am more than a match for you.¡± He grinned, the expression pained. ¡°I am leaving. Do not attempt to stop me.¡± Darian sent a mental command and his wolves fanned out, encircling Azlar. ¡°If you wish to escape violence,¡± he said striding over and plucking his sword from the floor. ¡°You will answer my questions.¡±Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. The demon laughed. ¡°The only escape from violence is death.¡± Fire sparked to life in his open palms. ¡°A reality you will soon realize.¡± *** Yaz pushed against the dwarf¡¯s chest, wrenching his blade free. Almeda was beside him, her magic tending to a gash in Jorg¡¯s shoulder. The shifty necromancer and satyr scout were down the hall, dealing with a few stuntlings that tried running. The little fairy buzzed down from above, her eyes latched onto one of the dwarves¡¯ strange weapons. ¡°Never seen anything like it,¡± Jorg said, motioning to Almeda that he was fine. Even Yaz had been shocked at the sudden explosion of noise the little metal rods produced, though he didn¡¯t think much of them at first glance. He¡¯d seen weapons before that were all flash with no substance. But whatever came hurtling from that burst of smoke was powerful enough to rip straight through the paladin¡¯s enchanted armor. Even a crossbow bolt would have trouble with that. Yaz spat. ¡°A cowardly weapon for cowardly creatures.¡± He hefted Blood Bringer onto his shoulder, the familiar weight of the greatsword setting his raging heart at ease. It wasn¡¯t time to unleash his battle lust. That would come later. ¡°Where did our intrepid leader run off to?¡± the necromancer asked, his skeletal minions marching at his heels. ¡°He ran after an old foe,¡± Jorg replied. ¡°We must find him.¡± Almeda¡¯s eyes shifted to the corpses at their feet. ¡°Time is not on our side.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go nab him,¡± Yaz offered, setting down the hall before the others could reply. ¡°See if he needs help finishing that swamp rat he scurried after.¡± ¡°There are steps coming down the hall,¡± Lucia called. ¡°We must eliminate these guests before they bring others.¡± ¡°We will hold here, orc.¡± Jorg said from behind. ¡°Be swift and be careful.¡± Yaz laughed. Be careful of what? *** Darian rolled to the side, flame erupting where he¡¯d just been standing. His bat was still hovering above, waiting for an opportunity to strike. But all of his wolves were dead, burned to ash in an instant. He himself had narrowly avoided joining them. The demon was slow, his movements sluggish and labored. But each time Darian closed the distance, a new wave of arcane fire pushed him back. If it was some other element, he would simply rush through it and deliver the finishing blow. But it had to be fire, didn¡¯t it? His body tensed as the heat pressed against his skin. Instinct told him to avoid the writhing tendrils of flame at all costs, and he was happy to oblige. In other circumstances he would simply outlast the demon. With how desperately he was launching his attacks, he had to be running low on skills. And as he continued to shuffle backwards, his breathing was becoming more erratic. All Darian had to do was continue dodging and the fight would tip in his favor. But he did not have the luxury of time. The entire room seemed to buckle as a pillar of flame erupted beneath Darian¡¯s feet. He managed to sidestep the attack, but the fire pushed all the way from the stone floor to the vaulted ceiling above. A few more attacks like that and the entire chamber might come down on us. And with each magical assault the danger of drawing unwanted attention grew. Zander was supposed to be offering a distraction, but that could only last so long. Steeling his resolve, Darian shot three bolts of ice from his palm, hoping the shards would cover his advance. They did not. *** Yaz paused before the massive door, wondering what in the hells was going on in there. Explosions resounded from within, pounding the floor so hard he wondered how the place was still one piece. Worse yet, he had no idea how they got past the chains before him. He gave them a tug, but they held firm, locking the door firmly shut. There was a hole above the door, near the top right corner where wall met ceiling, but even a skinny fellow like Darian couldn¡¯t have fit through it. With a dissatisfied grunt, he realized there wasn¡¯t a way through. ¡°Well,¡± he said, lowering his shoulder. ¡°Guess I just need to make my own way.¡± *** He continued to circle, darting in where he could, but the flames were still forming a hissing barrier that he couldn¡¯t cross. Even his bat had been reduced to cinders trying to get close. And his long-range skills like [Shard] and [Flare] fizzled away before they could reach Azlar. Even his flaming spear couldn¡¯t make it. Guess it¡¯s time to try physical projectiles. Using the blood pooled around Oliver¡¯s body, Darian sent three crimson daggers Azlar¡¯s way. As they spiraled through the air he charged forward, ducking under a fireball. With a bit of hesitancy, he let the next fireball run right into his chest. I hope this works. He activated his new skill [Phase], and the fire passed right through him. With a slight grin, he jumped over a wall of fire just as Azlar turned to intercept Darian¡¯s blood daggers. The demon managed to stop them with a sudden blast of blue flame, but now his side was fully exposed. Pushing his boots into the stone, Darian lunged forward, using [Dash Strike] to catapult him toward his target. Azlar moved away, his speed far quicker than Darian anticipated. But his blade was faster. It slid down the demon¡¯s body from shoulder to navel, splitting his cracked armor as the blade bit into his flesh. Dark blood gushed onto the floor, and Azlar stumbled back, blue fire erupting from his hands. It began to spiral and spread, forming a roaring tempest of flame. ¡°You bastard!¡± Azlar screamed, the tempest growing, swelling as Darian was forced back. Damnit. Darian ran to the side, looking for another opening. But then the far door, and much of the wall with it, came tumbling down. Yaz came rushing through with a battle cry, his sword raised over his head. And when Azlar turned to face him, Darian charged, certain his next attack would be the last. B2 Chapter 41 - Separated The chamber quaked as Azlar¡¯s flames continued to erupt. Heat pressed into Darian¡¯s skin, his whole being telling him to turn around. But he would not. He gripped his blade tighter and gritted his teeth. It was time to end this. Writhing into the shape of a solid wall, the flames formed a barrier that barred Darian¡¯s way. He hacked the construct, but the wall held firm. Making plans to go around, he watched as the flames continued to shape and harden, forming solid barriers of fire that he could not cross. But if this is anything like my skill [Blood Aegis], then there¡¯s a limit to how much one of these walls can take. He raised his blade overhead and drove it down again and again, the muscles in his arms straining from the vibrations of dozens of impacts. But after only a mere five seconds, the wall shattered, and Darian rushed forward. Azlar¡¯s full attention was on the charging orc. Spells flew from his hands, one after another. But nothing seemed to halt Yaz¡¯s advance, even for a second. Then Azlar finally turned, his arms flying up to protect himself. But it was already too late. Sparkblade cut straight through Azlar¡¯s right arm, then the tip of the blade found his demonic heart. And as he drove the sword through the man¡¯s chest, Darian pulled him in. The demon had wreathed his body in flame, but it sputtered out just as Darian¡¯s fangs found his throat.
Demon blood consumed: + 25 Race XP Would you like to replace the temporary skill [Law of Winter] with the skill [Flame Shield]? [Yes] [No]
No. Darian gripped Azlar by the shoulder and threw his lifeless corpse to the ground. His walls of flame faded away just as Yaz came running up, sweat beading on his olive-green forehead. ¡°Quick work,¡± Yaz said, eyeing the black blood dripping from Darian¡¯s chin. Darian chuckled. If he¡¯d not delivered the killing blow, then Yaz¡¯s blade would have found Azlar a moment later. There was a way to avoid this. Heat built in Darian¡¯s chest. Another senseless battle and another senseless death. But the demon had started this. Darian had simply finished it. Steam hissed from the demon¡¯s skin, the black tattoos on his face slithering madly like a coil of angry serpents. His body jerked, sparks flashing to life around him as the air simmered and sizzled like the air over an open forge. ¡°That can¡¯t be good,¡± Darian said, his feet edging back. He looked at the orc, but he was already sprinting toward the entrance. In his battle with Victoria, she¡¯d used a powerful skill that seemed to activate only after her death. That should have warned him that other foes could pull similar tricks. But with no ideas on how to halt whatever was coming, Darian decided to join Yaz in his retreat. ¡°Damned mages,¡± Yaz spluttered, the veins on his head bulging as he ran. ¡°Always ends this way. Always, the cowards.¡± Darian glanced back, noting that Azlar¡¯s body was now consumed in crackling fire. Then, just as he turned to face the exit, something behind him exploded. The force of it sent him flying forward, a loose stone cracking into his ribs. Yaz fared better, only being blown through the gaping remains of the doorway. He reached down and helped Darian to his feet just as the tunnel began to collapse. *** Jorg pushed the snarling dwarf into the wall with his shield. He had him right where he wanted him. One swing of his mace and this would be over. But by Argus, that gash on the dwarves head was tugging at his soul. He¡¯d done so well at controlling his thirst for blood. He had to. How else was the boy supposed to find inspiration in another¡¯s resolve? But by the Gods, he was tired of pretending he didn¡¯t want it. He didn¡¯t need it. His fangs emerged, ready to feast. With a downward swing, Jorg slammed the butt of his mace into the dwarves¡¯ face, stunning him. Then he let his mace drop, a leather loop keeping it secured to his wrist. And with his free hand he snatched a handful of the dwarves long, curled hair, and tugged his head to the side. Blood pulsed behind his pinkish flesh. Jorg could sense the thrumming nectar. Yet I hesitate. He¡¯d tasted the blood of his enemies already, but that was in the company of other vampires. Though within moments the thoughts of others faded. He would have his blood, no matter what anyone else thought of him. He ripped into the dwarves¡¯ throat, the man kicking and screaming as Jorg feasted. The blood had an earthy flavor, and as Jorg let the man¡¯s body drop to the bloody stones below, he wondered what the other races tasted like. ¡°Jorg!¡± The old Justicar turned. Lucia was beside him, her face speckled with someone else¡¯s blood.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. He wasn¡¯t sure why she was yelling, but then he heard it. Felt it in his boots. Darian and Yaz came running around the corner, the hall behind them collapsing, timber by timber, stone by stone. ¡°Run!¡± Darian cried. ¡°Run! *** Jorg and Lucia were the closest to him, and they were the first to heed his warning. Almeda, Alistair and Lallet were further ahead and slower to react. And slow in general. Jorg, Yaz, and Lucia flew past the others, with Alistair in particular having trouble keeping up. Even if they¡¯d healed and fed him, the man had spent the past several months locked in a cell. No other choice then. Darian grabbed the necromancer as he ran past, hauling the man over his shoulder. ¡°Which way?¡± he asked. But even with Darian¡¯s enhanced hearing he found it hard to make out the man¡¯s words over the sound of tumbling earth. ¡°Keep going down this hall, then take the second right. That will lead us directly to the lower levels,¡± Alistair said, groaning as he bounced atop Darian¡¯s shoulder. There was commotion ahead as a patrol of skeletons crashed into Yaz and Jorg. They were quickly tied up by Almeda¡¯s roots, but this forced tricky ground for Darian to cross. Picking his way closer to the others, something hard slammed into his leg, throwing him off balance. Alistair fell to the ground with a thud, and Darian stumbled, his left leg going numb. There was a narrow tunnel off to his left, its sides lined with massive, stained-glass windows. The starlight from outside illuminated the forms of four charging dwarves, but Darian¡¯s eyes were drawn to the smoking barrel behind them. Is that a gun? He looked down at the hole in his thigh. ¡°You shot me.¡± He stated, half in shock. Then he stepped back, shadows swirling to life around him, his wolves forming from within the darkness. He scooped Alistair off the ground and kept running, his leg screaming at him. He instructed his wolves to keep the attackers busy as he ran, the hall continuing to collapse behind him. Not much further now. Even with the wound in his leg and the baggage slopped across his shoulder, he¡¯d nearly reached the rest of the party. But then they went the wrong way. ¡°No!¡± Darian cried. ¡°Go down the next tunnel!¡± Only Yaz heard him, stopping just as the wall beside him cracked and gave way. Cursing, the orc jumped back as stone began to fall and burst onto the floor around him. By the time Darian reached him, the path toward the others had fully caved in. ¡°How do we reach them?¡± Darian asked, listening as the stone finally stopped rumbling. He set the necromancer down, certain the devastation was over. ¡°Not easily,¡± he replied, rubbing his sore ribs. ¡°Their path will take them up, while ours leads us into the depths.¡± ¡°If they¡¯re still there,¡± Yaz remarked. ¡°Only this corner of the fortress suffered damage,¡± Darian assured, tapping the edge of his ear. ¡°I could hear the tunnels and supports as they gave out. Anything lower than us should be fine.¡± ¡°This area was always in need of repairs. But no one ever listened to me.¡± Alistair looked down at an arm that poked through the rubble behind them. ¡°I¡¯m sure they¡¯re wishing they had right about now.¡±
Enemies Defeated [Oliver Swink] Lv. 17 [Azlar Almaris] Lv. 62 Class XP gained: 316 Class Lv. 11 reached! Progress to class Lv. 12 (299/950)
Darian nearly jumped as the screen sprang to life before him. ¡°We¡¯re safe,¡± he announced. ¡°For now.¡± The tunnel behind them was only partially collapsed, but even a dwarf would have trouble squeezing through from the other side. The tunnel beside them, the one Jorg and the others took, was nothing but a wall of rubble, dirt, and stone slabs. Even if they had the means to clear it, doing so would simply take too long. ¡°We have to press forward.¡± Darian stepped down the hall. ¡°The others will just have to find their own way to us.¡± ¡°If this Aspirant is truly in the dungeons below, I expect he will be well guarded,¡± Alistair said, moving to stand beside Darian. ¡°Are you certain the three of us will be enough?¡± ¡°We¡¯re enough,¡± the orc announced, glaring down at the two of them. ¡°I agree with Yaz.¡± Darian touched his leg, his fingers coming away slick with blood. Even if some of them are packing new and strange weapons. We can beat them. I know it. Feeling his heart thrumming in anticipation, Darian led them down the next tunnel and to a set of stairs that disappeared into the bowels of the fortress. ¡°No going back once we start our descent,¡± Darian announced, noticing the necromancer¡¯s hands were shaking. ¡°Are you certain you wish to do this?¡± Yaz started down the steps. ¡°If the coward wants to remain, let him. That just means more glory for us.¡± Alistair looked at the overconfident orc and grinned, the expression not quite reaching his eyes. ¡°I will not run or hide.¡± He gripped his staff tightly. ¡°Not again.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Darian said, his skin prickling. ¡°Because there¡¯s something truly awful down there. I can sense it.¡± The necromancer sighed. ¡°I almost wish you hadn¡¯t warned me.¡± He straightened his back. ¡°But I agreed to help, and help you I shall.¡± He started downwards, mumbling to himself. ¡°Even if it kills me.¡± Darian looked behind him, wishing Jorg and the others would magically appear to assist them. Because what he told Alistair was the truth. Something malevolent dwelled below. He could taste it in the air, solid dread forming around him like a miasma. But whatever it was, they would handle it. He¡¯d come too far to go back now. And so he descended, the world growing dark and cold around him. B2 Chapter 42 - Into the Depths The stairs continued to descend into darkness, the rough-cut stone slowly giving way to darkened slabs of metal. ¡°The fortress was built atop this dungeon,¡± Alistair explained. ¡°The entire lower levels are like this. Walls, floors, everything. All made from the same strange metal.¡± ¡°If they called the fortress ancient,¡± Darian whispered. ¡°Then this dungeon must be very, very old.¡± The necromancer pulled at his collar and took a breath. ¡°I didn¡¯t spend much time down here during my stay at the fortress. But they were always excavating. Searching for something in the depths of the mountain.¡± Yaz grunted. ¡°This blackened material, its demon forged.¡± ¡°How can you tell?¡± Darian asked, pausing to assess the wound in his leg. ¡°They''re experts at making things from metal. Always have been.¡± The orc tapped his knuckles against the wall. ¡°No one else builds like them. And I don¡¯t just mean the style.¡± His eyes narrowed. ¡°Everything demons make is used to kill and destroy. This place will be no different.¡± Darian reached down and stuck two fingers into the hole in his thigh. Strange how doing something like this only a few months ago would have sent me into shock. Now it¡¯s almost normal. The tips of his nails tapped against the fragment, and he pinched it, and without much grace, pulled it out. ¡°That¡¯s disgusting,¡± Alistair mumbled. Darian brought the tiny bit of metal up to his face, turning the bloody thing this way and that. ¡°I¡¯m lucky it didn¡¯t manage to go too deep,¡± he said, flicking the bullet to the ground. ¡°But we need to be carful next time we run across dwarves. These weapons are not to be taken lightly.¡± Yaz snorted. ¡°No weapon should be taken lightly.¡± He looked down at the bloody metal. ¡°But I understand what you mean.¡± ¡°Need me to heal you?¡± The necromancer stepped closer, his free hand radiating dark magic. Darian waved him away. ¡°My passive healing will be enough. Save your magic for later.¡± He continued downward. ¡°We¡¯ll need it.¡± *** Jorg looked the pile of rubble up and down. ¡°There is no way to reach them,¡± Lucia said. ¡°We must press on.¡± He knew she was right, but that didn¡¯t make the situation sting any less. They were supposed to get in, do their business, then get out. But the longer this went on, the less likely that outcome seemed possible. Or was it possible in the first place? He glanced up at the fairy. Little thing was shaking, her tiny wings a frantic buzz. Then he looked back at Lucia and Almeda and wondered how in the hells he ended up here. You work in mysterious ways, my lord. ¡°The dungeon is our goal,¡± Almeda announced. ¡°Let¡¯s look for a way down.¡± Always going down in this business. Why can¡¯t the objective ever be high up in someplace nice? Jorg hefted his mace up and turned on his heels. At least becoming a vampire meant he no longer got tired. And he¡¯d be lying if he said he didn¡¯t also appreciate the newfound strength flowing through his veins. Not that I could ever admit as much to the boy. Things had been tense since he told Darian about his vision. But whether the boy believed it or not, it did not matter. Jorg would do as he was told and assist the boy in his endeavors. Even if those endeavors saw him in the middle of an undead fortress surrounded by fey. I just hope the boy is alright. He glanced back at the collapsed hall, a strange feeling of dread threatening to take hold of him. *** ¡°Something has been bothering me,¡± Darian said, breaking the silence. ¡°If this flame Aspirant is a prisoner, one who is important to the demon God¡¯s plans, why keep him here?¡± He¡¯d seen a map of the known world during his stay at the House of Innovation. The demon God¡¯s lands were far, far to the east. If the Aspirant was important, why not bring him there? Especially since teleportation, while difficult, was possible. ¡°There must be a reason they are keeping him here, despite the area being less defended,¡± Darian continued. ¡°But what is it?¡± ¡°Perhaps the Aspirant isn¡¯t that important? Or perhaps the demon¡¯s believed this place to be secure.¡± Alistair shook his head. ¡°But these questions will soon matter little, for I¡¯m sure our answer lies below.¡± Darian nodded his agreement. The air had only grown colder the deeper they traveled. It reminded him of entering Victoria¡¯s crypt. And not since then had he felt such an urge to turn back. But no matter where I go, someone will always be trying to kill me. His new life had been one fight after another, but it belonged to him. If helping Raphael could lead to a peaceful existence, then it was worth the risk. Yaz came to a sudden stop, his massive arm held out to halt their advance. ¡°Enemies ahead,¡± he said, his lips curling into a sinister grin. ¡°How can you tell?¡± Darian looked into the darkness before them, unable to see, hear or smell anything. ¡°Are you using a skill?¡± The orc chuckled. ¡°Skills? Can¡¯t use em¡¯. No, this is pure instinct.¡± He started forward, a savage smile parting his face. ¡°Be ready, there¡¯s a lot of them.¡± *** Zander fell back into the forest, dwarves and undead hot on his heels. He had to slow down more than once to ensure they could follow him, but his ruse was about to end. He entered into a wide glade, the ground carved apart by star-cast shadows. Shapes loomed within the foliage, but these were no stumps or logs. He grinned. ¡°Finally tire of fleeing?¡± A dwarven warrior said, stepping past his fellows. He wore armor of thick steel, and he carried an axe in one hand and a shield in the other. ¡°Impressive that you could keep up with me,¡± Zander said, stepping back. He reflexively raised both arms as he fell into his fighting stance, forgetting for a moment one of them was missing. ¡°Answer our questions,¡± the dwarven leader barked as his men pressed forward. ¡°And your death will be swift.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve never wished for a swift death,¡± Zander admitted. ¡°No. If one is to kill me, they must be willing to bleed into the earth right alongside me.¡± He looked into the forest and nodded. ¡°Besides, you lot will be dead in a few moments.¡±This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. ¡°What are you¡ª¡± the dwarven warrior stumbled back, then fell. ¡°Commander!¡± one from the crowd cried, breaking their formation as he rushed to his leader¡¯s side. ¡°As I said.¡± Zander smiled. ¡°A few moments.¡± A young dwarf broke from the others, his warhammer held high as he charged at Zander. But then the treekin emerged from the forest, wave after wave of them. They tore into the dwarves from all sides, their thorns tearing the screaming rabble apart. The silence of the forest was then consumed all over by the shouts of orders and the cries of the dying. ¡°What sweet music,¡± Zander said, walking forward. The dwarf commander was still alive, a shard of wood sticking up from his bloody throat. He tried to say something, but all that escaped him was a gurgle. ¡°Our retreat was a false one.¡± Zander placed his hoof on the man¡¯s chest. ¡°As I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve realized. Honestly, a competent commander would have noticed this much sooner.¡± He raised his leg, then crushed the dwarves¡¯ chest. ¡°Though this changes very little. We are still outnumbered.¡± He pulled back and wiped his gore drenched hoof on the grass. ¡°I can only hope the vampire is wrapping things up.¡± He marched past the treekin and looked onto the plain below. ¡°You had better be worth it, Aspirant.¡± *** Yaz had been right. Darian turned the skeleton¡¯s blade away, then hacked straight through its chest with his next blow. The archer behind it ate a flaming spear to the face, then was finished with a quick slash to the neck. Still pressing forward, Darian ducked an arrow before slamming his fist into an iron breastplate, caving it in and smashing the bones it was meant to protect. Fire swirled past him, engulfing a row of skeletal warriors. And with his right side secured, Darian hacked forward, Sparkblade sending wave after wave of undead to their permanent end. But then the wound in his leg cried out, and he stumbled. An axe came down from overhead, Darian¡¯s sword clanging against the weapon just before it could reach him. With this strike blocked, Darian spun to the side, his back now pressed against the wall. The entire chamber was dimly lit, a few sparce torches all that cut through the thick darkness. But it was enough for Darian to see just how outnumbered they were. He and Yaz could probably cut them all down eventually, but the necromancer was already on the back foot. And they had to be swift, or they risked being found by other foes. He wanted to save it for if they battled the Lich lord himself, but he had little choice but to use it now. Gripping his blade tightly, he crashed through the skeletons until he reached the center of the chamber. ¡°Gather around me!¡± he called. For this to work, he needed all the undead to surround him. Alistair came to his side immediately, using his staff to knock aside a rusty blade or two on his way. But Yaz didn¡¯t seem to hear him. Or he just doesn¡¯t care. ¡°What are you planning?¡± Alistair asked, his face flushed red. ¡°Surround us with a thin wall of skeletons,¡± he commanded. ¡°Now!¡± The necromancer did as he was told. Within moments the two of them were protect by a wall of skeletal warriors. They wouldn¡¯t last long, but they didn¡¯t need to. ¡°Over here you undead filth!¡± Darian cried. ¡°What in the hells are you up to?¡± Alistair gripped his staff to his chest and shrunk back. Darian gritted his teeth. ¡°Just a little more.¡± Alistair¡¯s warriors were starting to buckle, skeletons pressing in so tightly against them that not even Lallet could squeeze through their number. ¡°Either you do something now, or we¡¯re about to drown in a tide of bones.¡± Darian grinned. ¡°You worry too much.¡± [Grave Bane] The triumph he gained for killing Victoria exploded from his body, the skill reducing the surrounding undead to ash. It didn¡¯t quite reach all of them, but Yaz¡¯s blade cut down the few that remained, plunging the massive chamber into silence.
Enemies Defeated Skeletons Lv. 1 ¨C 8 (x76) Class XP gained: 322 Class Lv. 12 Reached! Progress to class Lv. 13 (71/1000)
That means I have two class levels to assign now. Darian, despite not feeling physically tired, found the nearest wall and slumped against it. ¡°What in the hells was that?¡± Alistair asked, staring at the thick piles of ash that now dotted the chamber. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen a spell like that, not even from a cleric.¡± ¡°It¡¯s special,¡± Darian explained. ¡°And I can only use it once per day. Figured now would be the best time.¡± Yaz came marching up, his face plastered with disappointment. ¡°I was just starting to have fun.¡± Darian moved off the wall and peered into the darkness. ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll have more opportunities to let loose.¡± He walked forward, the chamber splitting as three tunnels snaked into the blackness beyond. ¡°They are most likely keeping the Aspirant in the west cells,¡± Alistair said, pointing down the central tunnel. Darian was about to ask what made him sure when he heard a sound coming down the tunnel. ¡°Something¡¯s coming,¡± he said, closing his eyes to focus. ¡°Another skeleton by the sounds of the steps. It¡¯s alone.¡± ¡°A lone undead isn¡¯t much of a challenge,¡± Yaz said. ¡°I¡¯ll make short work of it.¡± He walked down the tunnel before Darian could say anything. ¡°Your leg,¡± Alistair pressed. ¡°It¡¯s weeping. Are you sure you don¡¯t want me to¡ª¡± ¡°Heal me then, if will stop your worrying.¡± Darian stuck his leg out. ¡°Honestly, you kind of remind me of my-¡ª¡± The tunnel ahead flashed white, then Yaz came flying through the air. He hit the ground and rolled, his sword flying away to clatter against the wall. ¡°No,¡± Alistair said, dropping his staff. ¡°Not here.¡± Darian didn¡¯t have time to ask what the necromancer was saying before a bolt of energy blasted him on the shoulder. It sent him tumbling back, but as the magic flowed through his body, he realized it was negative energy. Thanks, I guess. He hopped to his feet, ready to charge forward. The skeleton emerged from the tunnel, tall and proud, wearing robes of black and gold. He carried a staff made of bone in one hand and a short sickle in the other. A dull purple gem sat at the staff¡¯s end, held in place by a skeletal fingers. Looking at it tugged at Darian¡¯s mind, whispers invading his thoughts. Alistair fell to his knees. ¡°Lost lamb,¡± it rasped, its voice radiating power as it towered over Alistair. ¡°Returned to face your fate? No, a coward like you could never.¡± The skeleton¡¯s dark robbed head snapped to Darian, purple fire blazing in its empty sockets. ¡°Peculiar creature you are.¡± It made a sound like it was sniffing the air. ¡°An undead? Truly how curious.¡± It pointed the staff at Darian, the purple gem at its tip flashing to life. ¡°On your knees.¡± Darian¡¯s legs moved on their own, bending, then crashing to the metal floor below. What is this? He stabbed his blade into the ground and pushed, but no amount of effort would get his legs to move. ¡°Who are you?¡± Darian asked through gritted teeth. The skeleton laughed. ¡°I am Calhaven, leader of the Lich Cult and lord of the undead.¡± The gem flashed once more, and Darian¡¯s thoughts began to slip into the void. ¡°And you will be my new puppet.¡± ¡°I am no one¡¯s puppet,¡± he shot back. ¡°Really? Because I can see your strings, little marionette. Strings that are held by another.¡± Darian looked into the monster¡¯s blazing eyes. ¡°I know what you¡¯re getting at,¡± he said, feeling control slowly return to him. ¡°But I did not live my old life bedridden and afraid, just to let someone take control of my new one.¡± He stumbled to his feet. ¡°Interesting. The Soul of Damnation cannot fully control you.¡± Shadows spread from the lich¡¯s feet. ¡°But after I give your strings a few tugs, you¡¯ll be mine.¡± Darian summoned his bat and wolves, the creatures snarling to life around him. ¡°You can try, but I am no one¡¯s slave. No one¡¯s puppet.¡± The lich chuckled, the sound dead and dry. Then he backed away, bone and flesh golems forming around him. ¡°Come puppet, and let us finish your final act.¡± B2 Chapter 43 - Pressing Forward Darian¡¯s wolves lunged forward, snarling, their rabid attention squarely on the arch lich. But within moments their advance was halted by the lich¡¯s bone golems. Their bulk formed a wall of claw and fang, one that his wolves couldn¡¯t hope to penetrate. They scratched at the hulking monsters, doing little else but distracting them. ¡°Alistair,¡± Darian called. ¡°Get over here, now!¡± The necromancer was still on his knees, Calhaven rooted beside him. He wasn¡¯t sure why the lich hadn¡¯t struck him down, but he could end the man¡¯s life at any moment. ¡°Wasted effort,¡± the lich said. ¡°This man has the soul of a worm. Always has.¡± He glared down at Alistair. ¡°Always will.¡± Darian used all his remaining wolf summons, then retreated to Yaz¡¯s side. The orc was on his back, his chest smoldering, his body still. ¡°Yaz,¡± Darian said, shaking the big man¡¯s shoulder. The orc¡¯s eyes snapped open. ¡°Mages,¡± he growled, lumbering to his feet. ¡°Are you alright?¡± Darian asked, staring at the man¡¯s wound. He followed Darian¡¯s gaze, then grunted. ¡°I¡¯ve taken worse blows.¡± His eyes fixed on the carnage. ¡°Those wolves aren¡¯t going to last much longer.¡± What Yaz said was true. Already most of them were reduced to piles of gore. The bone golems¡¯ claws and high defense kept them at bay, while the two flesh golems circled around, attacking where they could. ¡°And that bastard is just standing there,¡± Yaz growled. Calhaven still hadn¡¯t moved. He just waited, his form exuding an arrogant confidence that sent a hot pulse through Darian¡¯s heart. ¡°Your sword is over there, against the wall,¡± Darian said, pointing at the orc¡¯s weapon. ¡°I will make an opening for you. Make sure you¡¯re there when I do.¡± The big man grinned. ¡°Got the fire of battle raging in that tiny heart of yours? Good.¡± He rolled his shoulders, then set off for his weapon. ¡°Then I will follow your lead.¡± Darian stepped forward, his eyes locked with the lich¡¯s hollow sockets. Each member of his party had been given a gift before they set off, and Darian had been waiting for the opportunity to use his. Looking inward, he felt the sliver of God¡¯s blood still rushing through his veins. The power swelled in him, then burst out in a flash of bitter frost as he activated [The Law of Winter].
The Law of Winter This skill summons an ice storm on your current location. All enemies in range will be assailed by a horde of frost elementals, ice wolves, and storm crows. If one of the summoned creatures dies, it will be replaced by another after a short delay. Additionally, all frost damage is tripled within the storm, and all ice-based magic is more powerful. All fire skills within the storm are significantly weakened, and healing skills are less effective. This skill cannot be used at the same time as [The Law of Summer] or the [Law of Spring].
The wide chamber was taken by a sudden gust of wind, snow and ice exploding across the expanse. Mist formed as ice crystals sprouted from the floor, and from the haze came hunched shapes. They lumbered forward, the sound of beating wings and claws scraping across stone accompanying them. Designating Calhaven as his enemy, Darian launched himself at the lich¡¯s bone golems, a wave of ice wolves rushing in right behind him. He expected Calhaven to react, but he simply remained standing in the same place. If I can¡¯t make you move. He glanced to the left, noting that Yaz had retrieved his sword. Then I¡¯ll make sure he can. A force pierced Darian¡¯s mind, his legs slowing until he was forced to stop. ¡°You will submit, puppet.¡± The lich thrust his staff in the air, the Soul of Damnation burning with arcane energy. It was as if his body had been seized by a giant, unseen hand. The muscles in his legs strained, each forward step a struggle. If he was attacked in this state, there would be nothing he could do. But I have to keep pressing forward. His ice wolves collided with the golems, forming up with what was left of his dire wolves. Together they managed to force the monsters back, their bulk forming a protective barrier around Calhaven.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. The ice elementals arrived next. They hovered above the ground, looking like chunks of ice that sprouted arms. And from their needle-sharp appendages came a constant barrage of ice shards. The undead were naturally resistant to frost, but that buff was being overpowered by the power [The Law of Winter] gave such cold natured attacks. The ice elementals were whittling down the golems, each wave of shards cracking their bodies, little by little. A bolt of lightning came zipping over Darian¡¯s head. It exploded against a flesh golem¡¯s rotten face, sending its acid blood splashing against Calhaven¡¯s other defenders. The lich himself seemed unbothered; the acid blocked by the shimmering bubble of a magical shield. Raven black wings of a storm crow flapped overhead, the bird¡¯s feathers accented by a touch of arcane frost. It came to hover above the lich, bolts of bright blue electricity zapping down from its glowing beak. Each bolt flashed brilliantly, sending a glow through the thickening mist. If Alistair could just distract him for a moment. The lich was paying no attention to the necromancer, his full attention on Darian. Just one second and I could close the distance. He glared at the purple gem, doing little more than putting one foot in front of the other as he advanced. Turning inward once more, his thoughts coalesced with the temporary unique skill he absorbed from Oliver.
Limit Break This skill breaks the limit on the user¡¯s current power and potential. All attributes are significantly increased, and the user gains empowered physical and mental defense. Due to the strain this skill places on the body, any skills used while [Limit Break] is activate will damage you. Additionally, after the skill¡¯s duration ends, you will suffer a lingering debuff that lowers all attributes by 25% for one hour.
A whole hour? Darian nearly stumbled forward, a new wave of whispering invading his mind. But I might have to use it. His lowest attribute by far was fortitude, which was the attribute needed to defend against mental attacks. If he didn¡¯t find a way to resist Calhaven¡¯s influence, he would be killed before he had a chance to fight back. Two minutes isn¡¯t a long time though. Can I really beat him before the skill ends? A bolt of black energy shot from Calhaven¡¯s staff, the hovering storm crow obliterated in an instant. And despite their never-ending attack, his ice wolves were being held at bay. Without him intervening, the lich could potentially stall until [The Law of Winter] ended. He had to do something, and he had to do it quickly. Yaz was charging right for Calhaven, despite the fact Darian hadn¡¯t created an opening for him. He trusts me. Darian squared his feet and drew power from Oliver¡¯s blood. I will not betray that trust. Just as it did when Oliver activated the skill, Darian¡¯s body burst with light. Power he¡¯d never felt before shot through his body like a bolt of lightning, and the lich¡¯s influence over his mind faded almost entirely. ¡°Curious,¡± the lich rasped, shadows forming around him as he summoned a squad of death knights. ¡°But it will do you no good. You will still become my sla¡ª" The world blurred as he closed the gap between them in an instant. A shape moved to block him, the outline of a golem appearing as Darian¡¯s perception caught up with his new speed. His sword cracked into the bone golem¡¯s ribs, shattering it, splinters flying back and crashing against the lich¡¯s bony cheek. His next slash took the arm off a flesh golem, the beast¡¯s writhing, stitched flesh oozing acid as a groan escaped it. Then he jumped back, fire emerging from Calhaven¡¯s staff in the shape of a massive serpent. It coiled and struck, hissing as flames melted away the nearby ice. But a barrage of ice shards from his ice elementals destroyed it, and Calhaven cursed. Then Yaz¡¯s sword came down and slammed into the lich¡¯s head. The sound of bone cracking swallowed the room, and Calhaven stumbled, his death knights falling on Yaz all at once. In a swirl of solid darkness, a horde of skeletons, zombies, and undead wolves erupted around Calhaven. The lich retreated backwards, more and more death knights, bone knights, and flesh golems springing into existence between him and his enemies. Then his staff gleamed, and an eruption of necromantic power engulfed his new creations, their bodies empowered by the magic. He''s finally taking this seriously. Darian deflected the claws of a bone golem, the motion almost effortless. And before it could attack again, he hacked it into broken pieces with a series of blinding slashes. With it gone, Darian mentally directed all his summoned creatures to tie up Calhaven¡¯s little army. ¡°That glow,¡± Alistair mumbled, staring up at Darian. ¡°That¡¯s Limit Break, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°It is.¡± Darian grabbed the necromancer by the arm, careful not to accidentally crush his bones. ¡°Now get up and help me.¡± He hauled the man upright, but fear still gripped him. ¡°I can¡¯t. Not against the master.¡± I don¡¯t have time for this. ¡°You knew this was a possibility when we came here.¡± He lowered his body, ready to spring. ¡°He called you a coward. Do you really want to prove him right?¡± Before Alistair could answer, Darian launched himself forward. Mist and bodies blurred past him, his blade finding the chest plate of a death knight. Normally the armor would block the attack, but with his new strength, the blow not only caved the armor in, but sent the monster tumbling to the floor. Even with it out of the way, there was still a small army between him and the lich. Yaz was doing his best to cut through, and Darian¡¯s summons were continuing to form as the blizzard grew more intense. But before long the wide chamber would be packed wall to wall, with little room for maneuvering. I¡¯ll just have to make sure I end this before that can happen. With his eyes fixed on the lich, Darian blitzed past his defenders, his sword ready to take the bastard¡¯s head clean off. B2 Chapter 44 - The Soul of Damnation Part I The undead formed a wall of bone and iron, blades and claws. But for all their numbers, they could not halt Darian¡¯s advance. His body moved too quickly, and his strikes were simply too powerful. With [Limit Break] active, the hordes could do little else but slow him down. And as he crashed through them, his target grew within reach. Calhaven cursed and thrust his staff at Darian, beckoning his death knights to close in. But with a simple mental command, Darian directed the creatures provided by [The Law of Winter] to fall upon them. Ice wolves and frost elementals battered at the monsters, the zapping magic of storm crows blasting the lich¡¯s defenders away. With the buffs the lich provided, his undead were swift and powerful, but they were beginning to fall one by one. Between Darian¡¯s summons, his own might, and Yaz¡¯s brutish strength, they were pushing the arch lich into a corner he could not escape from. Almost there. A little closer and Darian could dash into range. And with how hard the lich was trying to create distance between them, he figured he had the edge in close combat. But something isn¡¯t right. He¡¯d fought in enough battles to know how foes acted when they became desperate. Yet Calhaven still oozed overconfidence. The bones that scattered loosely across the floor started to shake. They twitched across the ground, tugged by an unseen force toward the arch lich. ¡°Stop him!¡± Yaz cried, his blade battering down a flesh golem. Already on it. Darian spun around a skeleton warrior¡¯s spear, then shoulder rammed a death knight. While it crashed to the ground, he hacked his way forward, each stroke of his sword sending another summon into oblivion. But each summon he destroyed did not dissolve into the shadows they came from. Normally a summon¡¯s body dissolved after death, but these had their bones crawl across the ground to join the others. The shards that reached Calhaven were gathering behind him, shifting and piling onto each other. He figured the lich was in the process of combining the bones into some new creature. But then the pieces began to float, and he realized his error. With a simple nod of the head, Calhaven sent the floating bones at Darian in a barrage. The first shards narrowly missed his head, but the next wave cut across his arms and legs. Worse, the bones Calhaven had already fired were starting to rise from the floor. Darian sliced across his forearm with his sword, willing the blood to flow. His divine skill made his body resistant to bleeding, so the blood was stubborn to reveal itself. But then it trickled out, little by little, and he hardened it until it formed a shield. Manipulating the blood sent a spasm through his limbs, the strain of using a skill weighing on him while his body was already pushed to its limits. But he continued to advance. With the shield covering his left side, he was free to duck, dodge, and block the shards coming from his right. Though the closer he got, the more intense the attacks became. ¡°Crush their bones!¡± He called, sending a command to his summoned creatures and Yaz alike. The bits that were too smashed remained idle. If they could lower his ammunition, getting to the bastard would be a lot less painful. Then heat flared in his back, and he stumbled, then fell to one knee, his left leg unresponsive. Pain swelled as a shard ripped into his shoulder from behind, his sword clattering across the metallic floor as his grip failed him. But he couldn¡¯t remain idle. In a burst of movement, he rolled and scooped up his sword, his shield blocking two lengths of bone but missing a third. It rammed into his ribs, piercing inches deep. Then more came from above and behind, each direction a piercing death. But even with his leg thrumming from numbness, he dragged himself forward, more bones punching into him. Some his armor deflected, but others needled into his flesh, the ground a crimson splatter. Gritting his teeth, Darian used his blood droplets to send daggers at the lich. While they flew through the air, he grunted, waves of pain striking at his joints, making his whole body feel like it was going to tear itself apart. But the daggers made contact, doing little damage but getting Calhaven to stumble back. And as he did so, Darian was finally close enough to bridge the gap. Planting his feet the best he could, Darian activated [Dash Strike], designating one of the lich¡¯s undead guards as his target. The ripping agony using the skill caused was nearly too much, but he had to persevere. As soon as his sword smashed the skeleton¡¯s head open, he pivoted on his good leg, Calhaven as his new target. Using [Dash Strike] once more, Darian shot forward before his enemy had time to react. And with a pained roar, he brought his sword down from overhead to crack into Calhaven¡¯s skull. A kick came next, sending the robed monster to the floor. He made ready for another blow, but the strain on his body was too much, and all he could manage was a clumsy stumble toward his enemy. Another shard of bone sliced across Darian¡¯ leg and he pitched forward, his sword stabbing down to keep him upright. Then Calhaven rose, slicing out with the short scythe in his left hand. It raked across Darian¡¯s chest, and he fell away, leaving his sword behind. He glanced to the side, seeing Yaz bloody and beaten back, some of Darian¡¯s frost creatures at his side. His other summons were still some distance behind, held back by the lich¡¯s forces. No one to help me. His thoughts flashed back to when he first arrived in this world, alone and afraid, and a nagging fear squirmed in his gut. Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. Smothering it, he checked how much longer [Limit Break] would be active.
Limit break: 0:36 Remaining
Shit. It didn¡¯t matter how much it hurt or if his body fell apart after, he¡¯d have to do whatever he could to end this. Calhaven came down with the gnarled end of his staff with surprising force. If Darian¡¯s shield hadn¡¯t arrived to block it, he¡¯d have been skewered to the floor. But as the lich raised his arm for another strike, Darian rolled away and raised his palm, fire sprouting out to blast the lich in the face. An attack that would deal nearly no damage, but he didn¡¯t need it for that. With the fire flashing in the lich¡¯s face, Darian mentally pulled on the blood that had pooled beneath him, more crimson daggers stabbing at the monster¡¯s exposed body. Then he rose on his good leg, each puncture in his body crying out, his muscles nearly failing him. His fist smashed into Calhaven¡¯s jaw, bone cracking beneath his knuckles. Then he ducked back from a slash, a left hook smashing the arch lich in the ribs in retaliation. Calhaven swung his staff next, electricity crackling from the tip. Darian tried to back away, but his bad leg was slowing him down. Instead, he took the electrified staff on the arm. His flesh sizzled beneath it, rabid agony exploding throughout his whole body. But he would not let the lich escape. Darian grabbed the staff with one hand and pummeled the lich with the other. One, two, three punches and the monster¡¯s face had become a ruin. He kicked him in the shin, snapping something and sending the lich to one knee. With him lowered, he grabbed the back of the monster¡¯s head with his free hand and kneed him in the face. Before he could deliver another blow, a figure appeared beside him. He heard the rattle and swoosh of a rusty blade, then he was pressed against the wall, his shoulder torn wide open. His arms pressed against the bone knight that pinned him, but it was as if all his strength had been snuffed out.
Limit Break: 0:00
His legs kicked out, his boots thudding harmlessly against the knight¡¯s armor. He clawed at its arm, but the beast had him pressed tight. Then he watched as Calhaven rose, darkness swirling around him. The cracks and fissures in his face clicked and shifted, all signs of damage fading in mere moments. ¡°Good effort, puppet. Even if it was wasted.¡± The Soul of Domination flashed, whispers clawing into Darian¡¯s thoughts. He was bleeding, cut open and gashed, spears of bone jutting from him like a dozen enemy flags. He was the weakest he¡¯d ever felt, and the edges of his vision began to darken, the world narrowed to a tunnel. Blood pounded in his head, life trickling out of him little by little. The death knight that had him pressed into the wall faltered, a blurred shape striking it from behind. And as soon as the pressure left him, Darian fell to the ground. He crawled, not sure where he was headed. But then his fingers brushed the steel edge of his sword, and some of the clouds over his mind cleared. A gargantuan bone golem was beside him, its claws rending wave after wave of lesser skeletons. The death knight that¡¯d been pinning Darian was in pieces, Calhaven already at work summoning another. With his attention elsewhere, the artifacts hold on Darian¡¯s mind lifted enough for him to stand. He retrieved his sword, the haze clearing enough for him to realize the bone golem was Alistair¡¯s unique summon. It was about twice the size of a normal variant, with attacks that carried immense strength. Even the other bone golems were defenseless against it. A bolt of dark energy zipped across the battlefield, striking Darian in the chest. His body crackled with the foul magic, his pain lessening as it invigorated him. I¡¯ll have to thank the necromancer once this is over. His body was still far too weak to move quickly, but he marched toward the arch lich with violence in his heart. He was hissing some kind of insult toward Alistair¡¯s golem when he noticed Darian. The whispering came back in full force as he drew near, the voices piercing his brain like hot needles. The room, the sound and smell of battle, they all began to fade. He raised his sword, but the will to attack was replaced by a numbness that swallowed him. Sleep. Darian¡¯s eyes felt so heavy. His feet shuffled forward. What had he been doing? It seemed important, but he couldn¡¯t remember what it was. Rest. His sword slipped from his fingers. No more pain. No more struggle. The cold metal floor pressed onto his knees; the agony of existence purged from his body. Welcome oblivion. Only the light existed. Beautiful¡ªa purple star in the void. It called to him with a thousand hushed voices. They wanted him to join them forever. To add his voices to theirs. And he wanted nothing more than to join them. ¡°No,¡± he said through gritted teeth. Still with his eyes on the shining purple star, he used every ounce of will he had left to reach up and seize it. And as he squeezed the gem, the image of Calhaven appeared in the mirk, the world returning to focus. The lich cursed, then slashed Darian across the stomach with his scythe. But he did not let go. If this artifact could control the undead, then that extended to the arch lich himself. He pulled, ripping the gem from the staff. And with it in hand his thoughts slammed against the lich, demanding control. But the monster resisted, slicing across Darian¡¯s hand, severing his fingers. The Soul of Damnation fell, blood shrouding its brilliant shine. And as it tumbled, both Calhaven and Darian reached for it, their fate sealed by whoever seized it first. *** Darian rose out of bed with a start, the bright morning sun outside hot against his cheek. His arms shot up to defend himself, but no flame consumed his flesh. ¡°What the hell?¡± He looked around, then froze. He was back in his old bedroom. ¡°Darian?¡± A soft voice said from the door. ¡°Are you alright?¡± His mouth fell open, the voice sending hot barbs through his chest as tears formed in his eyes. ¡°Mom?¡± B2 Chapter 45 - The Soul of Damnation Part II Everything in the room was just as he remembered. The same game posters sat faded against the cream-colored wall, their edges frayed by time. His corner bookshelf still overflowed with fantasy novels, manga, and comics. And the black square of his TV stood in the corner, a well-worn office chair empty beside it. Even the coffee mug he used the day before his final visit to the hospital was on his bedside table, placed there like he¡¯d never left. ¡°Darian?¡± his mother said, the thick door muffling her soft voice. He tossed his blanket off and rolled out of bed, his feet warm against the sunlit carpet. He approached with gentle steps, not sure what to expect if he opened the door. ¡°Mom,¡± Darian mumbled, his hand halfway toward the knob. ¡°What day is it?¡± There was a pause, the sound of birds outside filling the silence. ¡°Thursday,¡± she eventually said, a hint of concern in her voice. Thursday. Darian let his hand drop. He¡¯d been admitted to the hospital late on a Wednesday afternoon. A visit he would never return from. ¡°It¡¯s August, right?¡± he asked. ¡°Honey, is something wrong?¡± His mother tested the knob, the lock keeping the room sealed. ¡°Please,¡± he put his forehead against the door, his eyes closed. ¡°Answer the question.¡± Another long pause. ¡°Yes. It¡¯s August,¡± she said. ¡°Now will you please let me in?¡± He looked over his shoulder, and the bed glared back at him. Ten years. That¡¯s how long he spent chained to it, his days spent full of false hopes. Then the night finally came where he left this place for good. Or at least that¡¯s what I thought. He wasn¡¯t sure of the exact date, but it had been a Wednesday in late August when he coughed up blood. If it was Thursday now, then it was like it never happened. Like it was nothing but a dream. He reached for the knob, his hand trembling. But he had to see if she was real. To see if that forest, if all those deaths, if it had been a blood-soaked nightmare all along. She stood just outside the door, a shaft of morning sun splitting her freckled cheek. Then she smiled, and all of Darian¡¯s fear melted. ¡°Oh my,¡± she mumbled through a grin as Darian wrapped her in a tight embrace. ¡°What did I do to deserve such an honor.¡± He pulled away and studied her face, a thin sheet of wet blurring his vision. There was a bit more grey in her hair than he remembered, but it was her. It was his mother. The woman who always did her best, who always came to his side when he needed her, and who always pushed him to keep fighting. She was here, and she was real. ¡°Darian, are you alright? The way you¡¯re looking at me, it¡¯s like you expected to see someone else.¡± ¡°I did,¡± he admitted. ¡°Or I thought maybe you¡¯d be¡­something else.¡± He hugged her again, the smell of bacon filling his nose. ¡°Your father made breakfast,¡± his mother said, noting the twitch of his nostrils. ¡°And yes, there are waffles.¡± ¡°Waffles,¡± he mumbled, chewing on the word like it was in a foreign tongue. She squeezed his hand, then led him down the long hall to their right. Pictures of his family watched him as he walked, each smiling face a relic of a life he¡¯d left behind. And as they passed into the kitchen, his thoughts became heavy. What was I doing again? He had been somewhere just moments ago, hadn¡¯t he? But the harder he tried to remember, the more fragmented the memories became. Darian¡¯s father was standing over the kitchen table, a pan in one hand and a spatula in the other. He was smaller than Darian remembered. I guess seeing Gorm and Yaz makes everyone look smaller. He stopped as he reached his chair. Who? The image of a towering man pierced the fog, but who he¡¯d been, Darian couldn¡¯t recall. ¡°Feeling alright champ?¡± his father asked. ¡°You¡¯re a little pale.¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Darian slid his chair out. ¡°And ready to eat.¡± His father smiled at that, then slapped down a pair of waffles onto a plate. ¡°Guess that means the new treatment is working.¡± Darian placed his hands on the wooden table, each groove, scratch, and divot familiar to him. Even when he was too sick to eat, they still used the table for family game night. His father was particularly fond of Monopoly, but his mother preferred card games. Darian usually didn¡¯t mind what game they played. Being awake and with them was enough. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. As he observed each storied blemish, his father slid a steaming plate his way. There was a pile of scrambled eggs, three strips of bacon, and two slightly burnt waffles. Just the way he liked it. ¡°Randal,¡± his mother said. ¡°That might be a little much.¡± ¡°Boy¡¯s hungry,¡± his father replied. ¡°And he knows he doesn¡¯t have to finish it.¡± ¡°You guys don¡¯t have to talk about me like I¡¯m not here.¡± Darian¡¯s stomach grumbled and he snatched up a nearby fork. But he couldn¡¯t bring himself to eat it. The food smelled great, and he was hungrier than ever. But he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling this was somehow wrong. Like he was craving something else, but he couldn¡¯t put his finger on what that thing was. ¡°What do we have to drink?¡± he asked, his throat dry. Maybe some liquid would loosen up his appetite. His father retrieved a cup and started for the fridge. ¡°Want anything in particular?¡± ¡°Water is fine.¡± He touched his throat, a prickling pain welling beneath his skin. It was like all the moisture had been sucked from his body. ¡°You sure?¡± his father asked, reaching into the fridge. ¡°Because I think we both know what you really want.¡± Darian was about to ask what he meant when he saw the knife. ¡°Dad,¡± he said, a tremor in his voice. ¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine honey.¡± His mother gave his shoulder a tight squeeze. ¡°It¡¯s like your father said, a boy¡¯s got to eat.¡± She walked away and Darian reached for her, but it was like his body was filled with lead. His arm fell to the table with a thunk, and he watched as she approached his father, smiling. ¡°Don¡¯t worry Darian.¡± His father pressed the knife into her neck. ¡°I won¡¯t miss a drop.¡± Then he slid the blade across her throat, his other hand rising, the cup placed just under the blood pouring out. His mother never stopped smiling. ¡°Stop!¡± he yelled. He jerked to the side, but he couldn¡¯t move. His arms and legs were too weak, too heavy to do anything but strain in useless protest. He cried out, screaming until all the air was choked out of him. ¡°Just a little more.¡± His father placed the knife on the table. ¡°And there it is.¡± His mother stumbled, then fell to the floor, her eyes blankly staring at the ceiling. ¡°Pleas Mom,¡± Darian said through his tears. ¡°She can¡¯t hear you anymore.¡± His father turned away from her, his smile widening. ¡°But look what I have!¡± He brought the cup of blood up to his cheek and shook it. ¡°I don¡¯t want that!¡± But even as Darian spoke the words, he knew them for lies. Dark blood pooled around his mother¡¯s head, a stark contrast to her paling skin. But the smell, it was sweet like honey. ¡°You want to grow up big and strong, don¡¯t you?¡± His father looked into the cup and frowned. ¡°Oh I see, this isn¡¯t enough.¡± He snatched the knife up. ¡°Let me fix that.¡± ¡°No, no what are you doing?¡± Darian gritted his teeth and tried his hardest to get up, to do anything. But all he could do was stare. The knife split his father¡¯s throat like an axe through tender wood. Blood spurted from the wound, almost all of it missing the cup. Then he walked closer, fresh life flowing down his torn flesh. He smashed the cup down right in front of Darian before he slid to the side, then tumbled to the ground. ¡°Drink up,¡± he said from the floor, blood staining his teeth red. Then the light faded from his eyes. ¡°Dad?¡± he blinked away the wet in his eyes. ¡°Mom?¡± Silence. He screamed, the sound cut off by a hundred whispering voices. Drink it. They said. Drink it. His hand moved to the cup, the edge warm to the touch. ¡°No, I won¡¯t.¡± He pushed the cup away, but his fingers remained glued to it. Drink. Drink. Drink. The voices grew louder, piercing him like a hot blade. DRINK. DRINK. DRINK. He squirmed and dug the nails of his free hand into his arm. ¡°I can¡¯t. Not from them.¡± They died for you. A powerful voice said. They poured all their love into that cup. Would you deny them? ¡°This isn¡¯t right.¡± He pulled his fingers away from the crimson temptation. ¡°Where am I? Who are you?¡± You¡¯re home. We¡¯re your family. ¡°No.¡± The smell of the blood, it tugged loose his fogged memories. ¡°My family is somewhere else. The world I came from.¡± We¡¯re here, honey. You just can¡¯t see us. The voice belonged to his mother. Drink the blood and we can be together forever. Just like you always wanted. The more she spoke, the more enshrouded his thoughts became. He focused on the scent of blood, its pull on his soul dragging his mind from the haze. And the longer he focused on it, the clearer this illusion became. Memory returned to him, the fragments forming, solidifying until he a clear picture formed. The Soul of Damnation. His fingers and Calhaven¡¯s had touched the gem at the same time. And these voices were the same ones he heard before cutting the artifact from the necromancer¡¯s staff. ¡°You are not my mother.¡± He looked around the room, the illusion fading, the walls pulsing in and out of existence. ¡°None of this is real.¡± ¡°Oh, but we are very real,¡± A deep voice said from behind. ¡°Now drink.¡± A hand made of shadow gripped his chin, another pulling the glass to his lips. ¡°That¡¯s it,¡± the shadow said, turning the cup, blood sliding toward Darian¡¯s mouth. ¡°Drink and become one with the damned.¡± He jerked his head to the side and bit down, his fangs sinking into the shadow¡¯s flesh. It shrieked and dropped the cup. And as the glass shattered against the table, the weight on Darian¡¯s body vanished. ¡°You should not have done that.¡± The shadow faded into mist, then the whole room began to shake. B2 Chapter 46 - The Soul of Damnation Part III The walls pulsed and distorted, flickering into a black void one moment before tearing into multicolored splashes of fragmented shapes. Even the corpses of his false parents bulged and twisted, their forms writhing into other people, other faces from his past. He shot to his feet, his chair clattering to the ground behind him. He had to escape, but reality was melting all around him. And the voices had returned, no longer a whisper but a chorus of screams. He covered his ears and stumbled for the hall, his feet nearly slipping on the blood slick floor. ¡°This way!¡± someone shouted. The voice was different from the others. Louder and full of concern. He followed it, the voice his beacon in the growing darkness that clawed at his mind. And then he saw the door, its shape the only solid thing in the crumbling nightmare. With his blood pounding in his ears, he shuffled forward. But the hallways stretched, tearing at the seams as it extended further and further away. You belong here, the darkness breathed into his ear. Ours for eternity. He put one foot in front of the other, focusing on each footfall. Nothing but going forward mattered. Each step was his only focus, and he stared down at the rippling carpet. Red one moment, then purple, then red again, it began to tug him backwards. He dug his bare feet into it and advanced. The door opened, golden light burning into the dimming hall. A man stood beyond, his hulking silhouette a blotch of shadow against the glorious shine. ¡°Hurry!¡± Darian hardly heard his voice through the screaming in his ears. But he followed it, focusing on his shape, a sense of familiarity forming as he grew closer. Interloper! the darkness roared. He is ours! Bits of the ceiling came free, the chunks turning to ash as everything shook and rumbled. Then the walls ripped away, an eternal darkness beyond. Wind sharp as razor blew from the blackness, slicing fine cuts across Darian¡¯s arms and legs. But he ignored the pain, focusing on the man, the only thing that was real. Then the paladin reached out and Darian gripped his hand. He tugged him into the light, and the world faded away. *** Darian blinked at the night sky overhead. He was in a forest, the trees thick and charred, ash on the wind. He spotted a sputtering campfire ahead, and he walked toward it, his mind finally free of the shadows. ¡°Who are you?¡± he asked. A tall and broad-shouldered man squatted by the fire, his long red hair tugged by a dead breeze. He wore armor edged by bright silver and gold, the steel plate carved with glowing runes. There was a blade at his hip that radiated a dim light, even through its scabbard. When he looked up, Darian met his green eyes and stepped back. It was the paladin from his nightmares. ¡°Be easy,¡± the man said in a measured voice. ¡°I am not like the other souls here. I¡¯m a friend.¡± ¡°A friend?¡± Darian raised his arms, ready to fight. ¡°I¡¯ve seen you before. Always at the lake of blood, always looking at me like I¡¯m some kind of monster.¡± ¡°Well, are you?¡± The paladin stood, his shoulders proud. ¡°Are you a monster?¡± ¡°No,¡± Darian replied. ¡°Not more than anyone else in this cursed world.¡± The paladin chuckled, his harsh face softening. ¡°You believe this realm is cursed?¡± He stared off into the charred woodlands. ¡°Perhaps it is. But that is why I brought you into this world.¡± Darian took a half step forward. ¡°The only two people who can say that just died in front of me.¡± He glanced over his shoulder, half expecting them to be standing there. ¡°Even if they weren¡¯t real.¡± Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡°Real and imaginary are trifling concepts in this place.¡± He looped his thumbs into his sword belt. ¡°And what I said before, I meant it in a literal sense. I am Radrick Von Rostcliff, paladin of Argus and the man who summoned you into this world.¡± ¡°Radrick?¡± Darian studied the man¡¯s face, his eyes. ¡°You¡¯re Fria¡¯s brother.¡± He grinned. ¡°I am. And I know about your little adventure with my sister. I¡¯ve been watching you.¡± ¡°You my stalker or something?¡± Darian spun in a circle. ¡°And where the hell are we? I was in the Lich Cult¡¯s fortress and then¡­I was here.¡± ¡°I am an echo, the last wisp of the man I was. When I gave my life to summon you, a piece of my soul latched itself onto you. I have been sleeping within your divinity ever since you first opened your eyes.¡± Darian froze. ¡°Wait, you¡¯re dead?¡± The last thing Fria told him was that her brother was on some kind of journey or quest. ¡°In a sense, though so long as a piece of me remains here, death has not truly claimed me. But enough about that.¡± He stepped back and drew his sword. ¡°The shadows have found us.¡± The whispering returned, distant, but growing closer by the second. ¡°You must cast off your mental shackles if we are to survive this,¡± Radrick stated. Darian turned on the paladin. ¡°What does that even mean? You¡¯re speaking nonsense.¡± He reached down and snatched up a weighty stick. ¡°We are within your mind right now. The world beyond us is frozen, all of this happening in the span of a single breath. But the cursed spirits within the Soul of Damnation have pierced the skin of your soul. They are pulsing through you like a virus, and we must burn them out before it¡¯s too late.¡± A twig snapped within the forest, shapes filtering between the trees. ¡°Everything you see is conjured from your soul. You control this world, but your self-perception is holding you back.¡± Radrick grabbed Darian by the shoulder and pushed, nearly sending him to the ground. ¡°What the hell is wrong with you?¡± Darian righted his stance, the whispers almost upon them. ¡°You still see yourself as that sickly boy you once were.¡± He gripped Darian¡¯s arm, his hand latching on like a vice. ¡°But you are an Aspirant, a God in the making. Weakness should be a foreign concept to you, yet you hold back. You fight your own nature. You put your old-world morals and ideas at odds with your new reality, and it¡¯s tearing you apart.¡± Darian jerked his arm free. ¡°Alright then, so what do you want me to do?¡± ¡°I want you to fight.¡± He almost wanted to laugh. ¡°I¡¯ve been fighting since my first night here.¡± ¡°Fighting without a purpose yes, but you have power. Power to shape and change, to alter the realm in your image.¡± ¡°I never wanted that,¡± Darian replied, gripping his improvised weapon tightly. ¡°I never wanted any of this.¡± ¡°Yet it is here, and you must make a choice.¡± He moved to Darian¡¯s side, the light from his sword brightening. ¡°Die here and become an empty husk, or live and fight for whatever future you can envision.¡± ¡°And what if this future isn¡¯t a good one? What if all I end up doing is making this place worse? What then?¡± Radrick smiled. ¡°I¡¯ve been watching you, Darian. I trust that whatever world you wish to create, even if the road there is full of blood and darkness, it will be a better place for us all.¡± ¡°Your faith is misplaced.¡± Darian widened his stance. ¡°But I¡¯m not dying here. Not after I fought so hard to survive.¡± He raised the stick, the wood falling away to reveal the shape of a sword. ¡°Because living is the only way I can ever pay back their kindness.¡± The faces of his parents flashed into his mind. All that hardship they went through raising him, caring for him as his body fell apart. It couldn¡¯t have all been for nothing. ¡°Whatever reason you decide to fight, hold it close to your heart. It will serve you well in the war to come.¡± ¡°War?¡± Darian shot the paladin a quizzical look. ¡°What war?¡± Before Radrick could answer, the shadow creatures burst from the trees. They hissed and screamed, their forms hard to make out in the darkness. But then they began to writhe and convulse, their bodies morphing into familiar shapes and faces. ¡°Do not be deceived,¡± Radrick said, marching into battle. ¡°They are not--¡ª¡± Darian surged past the paladin and sunk his blade into the chest of a beast that took his mother¡¯s face. Then he pulled back and took its head with a single strike. The shadows all paused. ¡°How dare you,¡± Darian growled through gritted teeth. ¡°Shame her memory like this.¡± He turned to face the growing horde of cursed souls. A shadow, larger and taller than the others, moved to the front of the pack. The rest formed up behind it, some wearing the face of Fria and others of Jorg. ¡°Rage all you like,¡± it said, hundreds of smaller voices trailing each word. ¡°But the damned do not know fear.¡± Darian laughed, the sound coming out half mad. ¡°I don¡¯t care if you¡¯re afraid.¡± His face fell slack, all emotion drained from him. ¡°You¡¯re all going to die either way.¡± B2 Chapter 47 - Thorn The shadow creatures continued to pour from the forest, their tide stemmed by Radrick and Darian¡¯s blades. Each strike from them cut one of the creatures down, but they were endless. For every beast put to the sword, three more replaced it. Soon the entire clearing was full of them, their whispers a mental dagger in Darian¡¯s pounding head. He slashed, taking the head from one that took Fria¡¯s face. Others pressed in, some wearing bodies from his old life and others from his new. But the familiar faces did not slow his strikes. If anything, they filled his attacks with a grim resolve. They would be punished. The large shadow stepped back, letting the others crowd in. Even after all that talk. Darian sliced an exposed throat. The bastard just stands there and watches. He raised his arm and attempted to activate his skill [Blazing Spear], but the ability didn¡¯t trigger. ¡°They are blocking your powers,¡± Radrick said, his shining sword twirling in an arc of blinding death. ¡°Your blade must do for now.¡± Darian shook his head and stepped back, an obsidian claw missing his stomach by an inch. Then he kicked, sending the monster to the dirt. Its fellows didn¡¯t slow, trampling the creature as they hissed and slashed, each hand a black mass of sharpened shadow. He parried and cut, dodged and ducked, his bare feet dug into the ash coated ground. But the more that came at him, the harsher the voices became. They tore into his thoughts, and he began to slow. ¡°We must fall back,¡± Radrick commanded. Darian glanced behind, seeing nothing but more monsters coming his way. ¡°Where?¡± ¡°You have to find where they entered from.¡± Radrick brought his blade down from overhead, splitting a shadow in half. ¡°If you seal the tear in your soul, they will be cut off from the other spirits.¡± A monster wearing Harper¡¯s face lunged for Radrick from behind, its bladed hands scraping down his armor. The paladin turned and decapitated it, another creature¡¯s attack slamming into his shoulder. He stumbled, just righting himself in time to block a slash aimed right at his exposed face. ¡°How am I supposed to know where that is?¡± Darian moved to the big man¡¯s side, the pair now back-to-back in the clearing. ¡°Close your eyes and focus,¡± Radrick replied. ¡°This is your mind and soul. You can sense where the damage is and take us there.¡± Darian grunted, shoving two of the monster¡¯s back before severing an arm with a downward chop. ¡°Are you insane?¡± He hardly had time to blink. ¡°I can protect you.¡± Beams of light split the black sky above, and the air hummed with magic. ¡°Trest me, please.¡± He wanted to argue, but the truth was they would be overwhelmed soon. ¡°Fine then.¡± Darian widened his stance and closed his eyes. ¡°But I hope you¡¯re right about this.¡± ¡°As do I.¡± Hot air blasted Darian¡¯s face, but he remained focused. He pushed back against the voices and turned his attention inward. There he felt it, a thorn within his soul. Pain pulsed from the ethereal wound like venom from a sting, corrupting his memories. Thinking of his mother and father filled his vision with images of their bloody and broken bodies. Childhood moments of peace and happiness turned into glimpses of violent massacre. He wanted to open his eyes, to look at anything else. But he had to persist, not only for his sake, but for the people who¡¯d fought to protect him. Fria and Jorg¡¯s torn and split faces assaulted his mind. They begged for help before they dissolved into piles of screaming flesh and bone. Then Carver appeared, the young man¡¯s body pierced by hundreds of spears. He looked into Darian¡¯s eyes with an endless pit of sorrow. ¡°You let me die,¡± he said through bloody lips. ¡°You did this to me.¡± ¡°Carver died in an explosion,¡± Darian replied, shoving the distorted image aside. ¡°And he died bravely. You do his memory a dishonor.¡± Then his thoughts turned to the only place that wasn¡¯t full of death and despair. The hospital where he died. He opened his eyes in a flash, a yawning gate appearing before him, light pouring from beyond. The shadows fell back from the radiating energy, hissing and growling. ¡°The rest is up to you.¡± Radrick¡¯s hand pressed into Darian¡¯s back, and then a moment later he was tumbling through the gate. *** Darian was face first on the white hospital room floor. His head felt like it weighed a hundred pounds, and he rolled to his side with a grunt. ¡°Radrick,¡± he said through dry lips, his voice barely above whisper. He managed to get his arms under himself, but they were thin, hardly more than bone. His legs weren¡¯t much better, but he was able to use the nearby wall for support and get to his feet. Once upright, he inched his way toward the door. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. The fluorescent overhead light flickered then dimmed, casting the room in twilight. Outside wasn¡¯t much different, the long hall a tunnel of blinking and dying brightness. Still against the wall, he made his way down the corridor. Each step tested his strained and faded muscle, the cold ground hard and unforgiving against his bare feet. As he passed the open door to another room, he glanced inside. There was a mirror on the far wall, and he froze as he saw himself. The thin fabric of a hospital gown hung from his nearly skeletal form. His hollow eyes matched well with his pale, sunken cheeks. His hair was gone, replaced by a sickly, bald head. He looked more like a corpse than a man. ¡°Is this what I looked like, before the end?¡± He could hardly remember what he looked like in the days leading up to his death. But he couldn¡¯t cast the unsightly vision off as another trick. There was a raw realness to the hospital, an uncorrupted power that told him this was a reflection of reality. Pressing down the horror building in his chest, he continued. He wasn¡¯t sure where he was going, but his soul was guiding him toward something. The closer he got to this mystery destination, the more pressure built in his chest. He realized that he¡¯d been breathing this entire time, a sensation that was now foreign to him. But the air became harder and harder to swallow, and his throat clenched. Then he saw it, an open doorway, light spilling from it. He limped across the hall, a desperate wheeze escaping his throat as he fell against the doorway. The room beyond was small, a single bed taking up its center. He pushed his way inside, the sight of the bed sending a cold jolt through his heart. ¡°This is where I died,¡± he mumbled, his bone thin fingers resting against the hospital bed¡¯s bulky frame. ¡°Indeed,¡± a voice said from the hall. Darian turned so fast he nearly pitched to the floor. The large shadow was standing outside, its outline a grim silhouette against the flickering lights. It reached forward, but its fingers sparked as they passed through the doorway. ¡°Decided to come for me yourself?¡± Darian asked. ¡°The others are coming, I assure you,¡± the shadow replied, its voice echoed by hundreds of others. Solid darkness swallowed the hall outside, whispers and screams coming from within its depths in equal measure. ¡°I guess Radrick was right,¡± Darian said, easing forward. ¡°You entered my soul from this memory, didn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°This is where your soul is split.¡± The shadow raised its arms, opening one closed hand at a time. ¡°One soul weak and clinging, and the other a vessel of divinity. One erodes the other, and through this fissure we arrived.¡± ¡°What do you mean my soul is split?¡± The shadow laughed, a thousand voices joining its mad choir. ¡°It means you are ours.¡± A force like Darian had never felt tugged him forward. His legs moved on their own, carrying him right into the creature¡¯s grasp. But before he fell into its clutches, his arms slammed on either side of the door and held. His muscles screamed, and his head split from thousands of crying voices. ¡°Resistance is pain,¡± the shadow said. ¡°You are a broken and ugly thing, cast aside from one world just to struggle and die in another. We pity you.¡± ¡°Screw you.¡± Darian gritted his teeth, his body teetering forward. ¡°Give in. Let it end.¡± Darian¡¯s fingers bled, his nails peeling as he dug them into the wall. ¡°No.¡± Let us help you. His mother¡¯s voice said. You¡¯ve fought so hard for so long. This fate is cruel. Wouldn¡¯t it be better if it was over? Let go. Let go and be free of your suffering. ¡°Listen to your mother,¡± the shadow extended its hand, the light fading. Darian smiled, and the creature recoiled. ¡°You shadows are good at imitating, but that¡¯s all you¡¯re good for.¡± He focused all his resolve on the creature before him, its form shrinking back as light spread from the room and into the hall. ¡°My mother would never say that to me.¡± He marched forward, strength returning to his body with each step. ¡°Now get the hell out of me.¡± He focused on the corrupted memories of his family, and one by one the horror within them disappeared. And after each purged thought, the light surrounding him grew brighter. The whispers turned to shrieks, then turned to silence. ¡°You are weak.¡± The shadow stated, its back pressed into the wall. Darian paused before it, the thorn inside him pulled free. ¡°Maybe I am weak. But weakness isn¡¯t permanent.¡± He looked back at the hospital bed. ¡°I¡¯ve escaped weakness and death once, and I¡¯ll do it again and again.¡± ¡°And you will fail. You are a tool, an instrument to the will of others.¡± ¡°For now that might be true, but all of this has reminded me of something. And when I get back to my body, things are going to change. Now, like I said.¡± He closed his fist, his flesh radiating light. ¡°Get the hell out of me.¡± As his fist smashed into the shadow¡¯s face, pure radiance engulfed everything, and the darkness vanished. *** The Soul of Damnation fell through the air, the world slowed to a crawl, Darian and Calhaven¡¯s fingers still on the cursed gem. Darian¡¯s body was weak and tired, [Limit Break]¡¯s drawbacks still in full effect. But the pain he¡¯d just been through, the corruption of the people most precious to him, that was worse than the burden he now carried. He pushed through the pain and snatched the gem, then jumped back as Calhaven¡¯s scythe slashed at his throat, time once again flowing. He passed the artifact to his other hand, his two remaining fingers clutching it tight. Then he rolled and snatched up his fallen sword. [Dash Strike] His sword cracked into the lich¡¯s shoulder, and it stumbled. Then Darian bent low and brought his sword up with all the strength he had left. The tip punched through Calhaven¡¯s jaw and burst out the top of his skull, showring Darian with flecks of bone. He twisted, tearing his blade free, then slashed, severing the necromancer¡¯s neck. Calhaven¡¯s head tumbled to the floor, and Darian collapsed to his knees, utterly spent. He blinked once, then fell to his side. Yaz yelled something, but he couldn¡¯t hear it. Several sets of boots rushed toward him, voices shouting in the dark. But the sound and everything else faded, leaving nothing but darkness behind. B2 Chapter 48 - Reunited The clang of arcane steel echoed throughout the hall as Jorg¡¯s shield and the dwarf¡¯s flaming hammer collided. The sputtering metal drove a primal fear into Jorg¡¯s bones, his soldier¡¯s resolve the only thing keeping his feet planted. He pushed his attacker back, his mace crunching into the dwarf¡¯s ribs, another blow turning his face into a smashed ruin. A death knight lumbered closer, one of Lucia¡¯s arrows jutting from its skull. Jorg activated [Zealot¡¯s Fury], holy energy encircling his weapon. The sight of it sent an unpleasant tingle through his body, but he ignored it. He roared and blasted the knight¡¯s leg backwards with a thunderous blow, its bones reduced to powder. With its head lowered he delivered a downward strike, finishing it off. ¡°We¡¯re clear,¡± Lucia called, wiping sweat and blood from her brow. She had a nasty cut along the top of her scalp. The wound wasn¡¯t too bad, but it needed tending. Jorg watched her as she collected her arrows, thankful the sight of it didn¡¯t stir his hunger. He walked to the edge of the stairs. They trailed down into darkness, his new enhanced vision barely able to contend with the choking darkness. But if Darian and the others had stuck to the mission, they were likely below. ¡°Almeda.¡± Jorg directed the leaf-haired woman Lucia¡¯s way. ¡°Stem that bleeding. Then we continue.¡± The little fairy, Lallet, hovered down from the rafters. Fey in Jorg¡¯s experience had no fear of death. But she looked upon the carnage¡ªthe blood and bones¡ªwith a sense of mortal dread. ¡°Tell your sister we¡¯re closing in on the objective,¡± he ordered. Lallet nodded, then closed her eyes in focus. Almeda placed a hand against Lucia¡¯s forehead, green light pulsing beneath her palm. ¡°The noise from outside has stilled. And they¡¯ve surely realized we¡¯re here.¡± ¡°We¡¯re going as fast as we can.¡± Jorg glanced at the bodies. The undead and dwarves had been stationed here as guards. Whatever lay below had to be important for them to leave so many troops behind. ¡°The Aspirant trusts you,¡± Almeda said, Lucia¡¯s wound sealed. ¡°So I will go where you lead.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± He worked the battle stiffness from his neck and started down the stairs. ¡°Then follow me.¡± *** Zander commanded the remaining tree men to form a perimeter around the edge of the forest. He doubted the dwarves were stupid enough to continue their pursuit, but the stunted creatures were stubborn. ¡°Best to be safe,¡± he mumbled to himself, his eyes drawn to the roughly bandaged stump of his left arm. The bleeding was under control and the pain manageable, but the fact it¡¯d been taken by Azlar set a fire in his chest. He could only hope that wherever the demonic scum ended up, misfortune had befallen him. ¡°Commander,¡± came a voice at Zander¡¯s rear. A trio of satyr scouts were knelt in the grass, their faces grim. Their leader was Torvis, a powerful and spirited fighter. What carnage this night must have unleashed for his eyes to be so downcast. ¡°Report.¡± Zander did his best to stand proud. He could not afford to show any weakness. ¡°Half of our troops remain, but of that half, only a small number can continue. The rest are injured. The dryads are seeing to their wounds.¡± ¡°Half?¡± Zander questioned, a crack in his voice drawing concerned glances from his men. ¡°Yes commander, half.¡± Torvis lowered his head. ¡°They died bravely.¡± Zander clenched his remaining fist. ¡°Thank you for the report.¡± He turned to look down the hill, the gore-soaked battlefield peeking at him through the trees. ¡°Collect those who remain and have them meet me here. The final phase of our lord¡¯s plan is upon us.¡± The scouts disappeared into the forest one by one. And once Zander was sure they were all gone, he turned sharply and struck a nearby tree, his fist leaving a crater in the bark. He trusted Raphael with his life. He¡¯d been his companion for so long he hardly remembered what life was like before they met. But the death of his people was permanent. The fey queen saw to that when she cursed the banished. Their souls would fade like those of mortals, and that terrified him. ¡°What are you thinking,¡± he mumbled. His plan for the Aspirant, it was beyond risky. But he cast aside his doubts. Whatever his lord was planning, it was worth the sacrifice. It had to be. *** The rough-cut stone gave way to darkened metal as they descended. He¡¯d seen the same style during his crusade in the east. It was demon forged, probably produced in one of their smoke spewing forges. But what was it doing this far west? Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. ¡°Demons,¡± Almeda hissed. ¡°My father was right.¡± Jorg scoffed. He wished her father had shared his theories with the group before they departed. ¡°Demons and necromancers, a vile combination.¡± He waited for the hot pump of righteous fury to flow through his veins, but his pious rage was subdued. A horrid clash of growls, screams, and the gnashing and scrape of steel reached the group, the sound clawing upwards from the chamber below. ¡°Sounds like a war down there,¡± the fairy whispered. Jorg hefted his shield up. ¡°That kind of chaos can only come from one man.¡± He exchanged looks with the fey, then the group charged downward. *** The room was a wash of frost, bones, and blood. His frost creatures were still battling Calhaven¡¯s summoned hordes. Why haven¡¯t they vanished? He stuck his blade into the metal floor and pushed himself upright, pain keeping his eyes open. Calhaven¡¯s body was motionless on the ground nearby, his head several feet away. No fire blazed in his empty sockets. The necromancer was dead, yet his conjured undead showed no signs of fading away. The sound of marching boots drew Darian¡¯s attention to a clutch of advancing skeletal soldiers. They hacked through a frost wolf before turning their attention on him. He pulled his sword free and tried falling into a fighting stance. His mind and body were already well past their limits, but he raised his blade, the stumps where his fingers used to be slicking the handle with his own blood. But before the monsters reached him, a purple light gleamed from a corridor behind them. Then the familiar shape of a certain grumpy paladin appeared, two others at his back. The first skeleton came at Darian with a thrust. It was as slow and predictable as all their attacks, but Darian¡¯s arms faltered, his attempted parry knocked aside. The tip of the skeleton¡¯s blade crunched into the armor over his chest, softening the blow. He returned with a stab of his own, but the skeleton absorbed the strike, Darian¡¯s blade doing little but shoving the beast back. An arrow thunked into its skull and it went down, another stepping over it, an axe coming down from overhead. Darian didn¡¯t even try to block it. Instead, he stumbled back, his feet kicking and scattering discarded shards of bone. Once the axe sparked against the floor, he stepped forward with a horizontal slash. This time he struck true, caving the skeleton¡¯s head in. Dark energy swirled into Darian from behind, his wounds healing, some energy returning to his body. Alistair appeared at his side, blood caking one side of his face. His staff was gone, and he cradled his ribs with one hand. With his other, he sent waves of flame into the encroaching monsters. ¡°Thank you,¡± Darian said, straightening his posture. Alistair¡¯s unique bone golem charged through the winter haze, its claws scattering the undead with each swipe. And as they moved to surround it, Darian and Alistair advanced, sword and magic cutting down their enemies one at a time. Jorg smacked a skeleton to the ground, then crushed its head with his mace. He was joined by Almeda, her magic binding the undead with summoned vines. With them now joining the battle, what remained of Calhaven¡¯s forces were quickly dispatched. Darian stumbled to the side and slid down the nearby wall. His summoned blizzard still raged, and he sent a mental command for it to calm. He then ordered his summons to protect them while Jorg and the others rushed to his side. Seeing Jorg so worked up almost made Darian smile. ¡°What happened?¡± the big man asked, setting his shield and weapon on the ground. He gently took Darian¡¯s wrist and inspected his severed fingers. ¡°Calhaven took them,¡± he replied, realizing he¡¯d dropped the Soul of Damnation somewhere in the scuffle. ¡°But I killed him.¡± ¡°You defeated the lich lord?¡± Jorg looked shocked. ¡°He did.¡± Yaz limped up, his massive sword acting like a makeshift walking stick. He was cut all over, and there was a giant gash in his right shoulder. But the orc hardly seemed to notice the wounds. ¡°I saw him deliver the finishing blow.¡± Alistair staired down a few feet away, his eyes latched onto Calhaven¡¯s body. ¡°The lich isn¡¯t dead.¡± Darian perked up at that. ¡°What you¡¯re looking at says otherwise.¡± ¡°A lich can¡¯t be killed until you destroy its phylactery,¡± Jorg explained. ¡°He¡¯s likely forming a new body to puppet as we speak.¡± ¡°Great.¡± Darian let his head rest against the wall and closed his eyes. ¡°It will take the lich time and energy to regain his full strength,¡± Almeda added. ¡°By the time he does, we will be gone from this place.¡± Darian slumped to the side, jolting awake just before he could completely fall to the floor. ¡°You need to rest,¡± Jorg said, his usually hard face taken by a soft smile. ¡°We can¡¯t afford to slow down,¡± Yaz argued, drawing a nasty glare from Jorg. Darian was tempted to side with the orc, but he wasn¡¯t sure if he could stand. ¡°Just¡­just give me a minute.¡± ¡°Alistair, do what you can to heal him,¡± Jorg commanded. ¡°I will watch for threats.¡± Falling in and out of consciousness, Darian let his body relax the best he could. His thoughts drifted away, the dark chamber replaced by an endless black void. In that void stood a glowing figure, and Darian approached the man cautiously. ¡°You did well,¡± Radrick said, a hearty grin on his face. ¡°Am I asleep?¡± Darian asked. He had to say, it was better than the nightmare his slumber usually brought. The paladin nodded. ¡°But this will likely be the final time we speak.¡± He looked down at his fading hands. ¡°I used what remained of my energy assisting you. Before long I will vanish.¡± ¡°What will happen to you then?¡± Darian asked. Radrick shrugged. ¡°Who¡¯s to say? But before I go, there are things I must tell you.¡± His brow drew downward, and he crossed his arms over his chest. ¡°There is a war coming, Darian. A God war. And before it arrives, you must be ready.¡± He gestured to the side and the image of a man standing in the center of the sun appeared. ¡°Argus,¡± Darian mumbled, the image growing clearer. ¡°What are you trying to show me?¡± ¡°You must see the past, in order to save the future.¡± Radrick grimaced, as if recalling a painful memory. ¡°But I will warn you, what I¡¯m going to show you, it may be¡­difficult for you to accept.¡± ¡°I can handle it,¡± Darian assured. He¡¯d seen and done enough that he figured nothing could shock him anymore. Radrick placed an ethereal hand on Darian¡¯s shoulder. ¡°For all our sakes, I hope that¡¯s true.¡±