Chapter 24
Raid on Atlus part 4:The Outer Palace
“Lara is that what I think it is! It looks exactly the same to one held by the huge statue at Mahouren!” April couldn't hide her excitement. She obviously recognized the staff.
“Perhaps it is just a cheap imitation, I cant refute the resemblance though.” Joel added.
“There is only one way to find out Lara cast a spell and see how much it is amplified by the staff. Cast a level 1 fireball for us.” Oliver asked.
“Ok? I call upon the eternal flame inside of me, scorch my enemies. Fireball!” I went ahead and used an incantation for aesthetics sake. Casting with a staff felt really different then what I have done before, I could feel the mana pool up from my hand into my staff. After being completely filled the staff launched my spell at my target with scary accuracy. Not only does it amplify you spell but it also increases your accuracy dramatically.
The level 1 fireball attack that in the past was around quarter a meter wide without the staff was now I would say atleast 2 meters diameter. I had aimed it at the doors at the end of the balcony. I was sure us being around 10 meters away from it would have been safe distance but I was wrong we all got knocked on our butts from the explosion. The wooded doorway was completely gone and all that was left was the stone archway that had held the door.
“To think that I would encounter the Sidhe staff. Surely Lara needs to become a mage now. You are holding one of the most powerful staff's in existence. I suggest you become an elemental mage, so we can become twinsies!” April then hugged my right arm and her breasts hugged them too. Not that I minded.
“I seen your eyes when you casted that fireball. Those eyes had the excitement of a destruction mage.” Joel added.
“Guys obviously Lara is going to become an enchanter did you see her draw that rune on the treant earlier?” Oliver now was fighting over me too. This had to stop we had a mission on our hands still.
“Calm down, I don't even know if I can become a mage I already have a class and two subclasses. Isn't the limit on sub-classes two?” I say trying get everyone to chill out.
“Not necessarily, that limit is only on combat classes, so a person for example could be battle-mage as a main class and then as subclasses he could be a fighter, rogue, and as a third non combat class he could be a blacksmith. Also you could always drop one of your classes to get a new one.” Oliver explained.
“So does bard count as a combat class? I can use it in a fight.” I am now curious.
“Lady Lara is a bard? How I would love to hear her sing” Reid had already forgotten that my main class was actually an assassin type class.
“Even though it's benefits can be used in a fight bard does not count as a combat class. So you could potentially pick up one more sub-class. Also I agree with Reid I would love to hear you sing I had no idea you were a bard. Knowing you I am sure you are extremely good, miss perfect.” Oliver said to me
“Would you stop the whole mage chit-chat thingy? We have a mission to complete. Anyways Lara is a natural born fighter. Her skill's with a blade are the real deal. She is second only to me with them. She shouldn't waste her talents as a cowardly mage who fight's from the rear.” Rictor brought us back into focus. I cant worry about a potential third subclass, hell I know very little about my second subclass dragoon.
“Right we need to refocus. I need Long-fur and Melinus to take point with me, it is very dark in here and we can see better then the rest of you.” We all very cautiously proceed forward.
These quarters belong in a scary movie. Every room the furniture has either been burned or torn up. There are arrows and weapons scattered everywhere and also chunks of bone that had yet to decompose all the way. I am guessing that the servants tried revolting against the king during Magnus's game centuries ago and were swiftly dealt with by the guard. So much death here we need to get out of this damned place.
We kept a brisk pace, it seemed I wasn't the only one who wanted no part in staying in this place which pretty much is a tomb but the place was not small and we had no map or diagram to direct us. We came up to a large dinning area that was thoroughly trashed as well. However something extremely bothersome was here.
On the main table there was a corpse dressed in the same garb that the previous group of fighters wore, this guy was one of Kormon's lackey's.
“Cover me while I go and look over this corpse.” I ordered the group.
As I came up to the corpse I quickly noticed that the body was almost like a husk, his blood had been completely drained from him. On his nape was an all too familiar wound, bite marks. We are dealing with vampires here. Vampires are powerful and have only a few weaknesses. First obviously light does major damage to them if there skin is exposed to it. Second they are very weak against holy magic. The whole silver weapon thing was partly true, but you could still slice vampires with good weapons.
“Stay sharp, vampires” I go ahead and warn the group.
“Vampires we must cull them from this world!” Leon perked up after hearing about the vampires.
“We are not going out of our way to hunt them down, but if come across them surely a fight will happen.” I let Leon know I am not going to risk the party to fulfill his holy crusade. We continue on.
As we head forward I can feel a familiar sensation the feeling of a magic barrier. Thankfully I am still using Zyra's fake ears.
“Magic barrier make sure if you are using a spacial ring. You take out anything you might need in a fight. Mages if a fight breaks out make sure to fall back here since you wont have anyway to protect yourselves in the barrier. Oliver can you tell me anything specifically about this barrier?” I say to the party.
“It is definitely all-element barrier atleast level 7, since I can't do a level 6 spell inside it. I am guessing there is a very high powered rune in that direction” Oliver stated and pointed in the direction we were headed.
“Let's go.” I ordered now constantly in a battle-ready stance.
The hallway ended with a large gate. I got everyone into position around the door in case we had an encounter on the other side. Slowly I pushed the gate open.
On the other side of the gate was large opening I could see training dummy, bulls-eyes targets, an assortment of wooden weapons laying around and a large sparring ring. This was a training area for the soldiers. On the opposite side of where we were there was another gate this one was made of metal. To the sides are stone walls. Conscious that this area was fairly wide open, ideal for an ambush I pushed out slowly looking everywhere for potential ambushers. After none popped out I felt relieved because a fight right now against vampires with no ability to use holy magic would be unfavorable. We got up to the metal gate and tried opening it but it was sealed shut.
“Oh great a dead-end, what are we going to do now there is now way we are opening this gate without magic.” Joel pessimistically stated.
“Mason what kind of lock is this? Is there anyway to open it?” I ask our rogue this is the reason we brought him he is an expert at getting inside of locked door, chests, and other people's coin purses.
“Open this? This door is using a deadbolt at the top. All we have to do is somehow get someone inside and there is a lever you can pull down to open it. The hard part is figuring out how to get someone on the inside without using magic. The only window I see is three stories up in that far right corner and is way to tiny to fit a grown person in.” He pointed up at a small circular window that had long been busted open. He was right it was small but I think that I would be small enough to do the trick.
“Ok Leon you have the most experience fighting vampires so I am leaving you in charge here while I go and try to open this door.” I say to the paladin.
“But Lara how are you going to get up there? I have some rope if you need even then it might be to small for even you to fit through.” Mason genuinely stated.
“I eye balled it I am fairly sure I can get through anyways keep your rope this is easy” I say to Mason as I started looking at the window studying the area visualizing the way I would scale the wall.
I start a brisk jog towards the adjacent stone wall of the window. About 10 feet away from the wall I burst into a full sprint and launch myself as high vertically as possible. Using my feet I propel myself up even farther and I grab in between the gaps in the stone. It is definitely not ideal and I have to use a lot of my grip strength to hold my self up. I quickly get my toes into cracks at my feet for some support. Now with my feet helping I scale up even higher using the small cracks in between the stones. I push myself up to the same level as the window. Unfortunately the wall with the gate isn't like this stone wall there is no cracks or places to grab into except for the window itself but that was out of my reach.
I take a big breath and focus. If I mess this up it is going to hurt really bad! I push up a little bit higher up with my legs putting me above the window. I then pull my legs up so they are even with my abdomen. Now with legs in position, I let go with my hands and at the same time push as hard as possible with my legs. I reach you with my left hand to secure a grip on the window. The stress of having all my weight supported by just a few of my fingers after taxing them with my ascent is quite painful, perhaps next time I will use the rope. I pull myself up after getting my right hand on the window as well. I fit through the window with just a few inches to spare.
“Wow she made that look easy, I bet she is a great assassin. She does bear some resemblance to the infamous Angel of Death do you guys think perhaps that is her?” Lux asked.
“While the hair is fairly similar there is one stark difference. The angel of Death is human from depictions, Lara is elven. At any rate I wouldn't want to get on the bad side of either of them.” Mason replied to Lux's observation.
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I pulled myself up through the window, the room I entered was some sort of office. The furniture had deteriorated bad and the whole place smelled of rot. I stealthily began to trot forward, into the hallway.
The hallways here in the barracks were not any less creepy then the servants quarters. I need to find that release lever for the gate as soon as possible. However my attention was drawn to one of the side rooms I could hear several people arguing. There was a small hole in the ground and I could look through it.
“You selfishly went and drank that gift from Mazasius dry. That was suppose to be for all of us. You are taking advantage of being in charge Ivan.” It was about 5 vampires 4 of them were level 60s the leader was 75.
“I am in charge because I am the strongest. Want to be in charge, simply beat me in a fight. Anyways there is about to be more blood then any of us could drink. Mazasius told me a group of adventurer's would be heading this way and only the little girl among them is off limits.” Ivan said to the group who were all in.
“How many? Do we need to go and wake up the others.” One vampires asked Ivan.
“Yes we will need everyone there they have around 15, why don't you go and wake them up.”
“Fine but I want my fill on these adventurer's.” The vampire said begrudgingly and left. I cant let this opportunity slip by. Opening the door will have to wait.
I notice the direction that the vampire had left and I go in that direction hopefully the stairs or a big enough hole that I can fit through are around for me to catch up. I must be as silent as possible vampires have extremely sensitive senses, and there sense of smell is probably the most concerning. They can detect you from simply smelling your blood. Fortunately living with a vampire for 2 years has taught me that if you slow your heartbeat and breathing you can mask your presence a lot better.
I was very relieved to find that there was a stairway at the end of this hall. I got up to it and I noticed that this stairway went down to the ground floor and I could see the vampire from earlier head down this staircase. I follow cautiously.
After getting to the ground floor the vampire headed off to the side I cautiously follow him at a safe distance. He arrived at a room that was locked and he pulled a key and opened it. Right after opening it I made my move. I sprinted at him while he still was unarmed with the keys in his hands. He noticed me too late as I was able to deliver a full force knee to his solar plexus causing him to crumple to his knees. He opens his mouth to scream a warning to his comrades but my blow to his abdomen had thoroughly knocked the wind out of him and his warning is muted. Now with no alternative he goes to grab his sword at his waist but dropping his arms was a poor decision as my quickdraw technique is very good. In a flash of light Tachi slashes through his neck and his head rolls off his shoulders as a fountain of blood gushes out in its place.
I enter the room and look around and see about 10 coffins, 5 of them being open and empty. After living with Jennifer I found out that vampires do in fact sleep in coffins. Since vampires typically stay awake for prolonged periods, they also sleep for prolonged periods and for some reason sleeping in coffins causes them to recover quicker. They of course can sleep in normal beds and such, and Jennifer would do so sneaking in to cuddle with me quite often. The downside to this is just like with my short-rest skill, they don't wake easily.
One by one I go ahead decapitate each of the 5 sleeping vampires by slashing through the coffins and head in one motion performing the coup de grace. I leave the coffin room which is in major need cleaning now. My next goal is to get this gate open so my allys can join me in this fight against these last four. I head down the hallway that empties in a large lobby like area at the opposite end I can see the gate release lever but before I step forward I can feel a presence behind me closing in.
I drop to a knee and I feel a hand slide over to where my shoulder just was. I grab the arm and throw it over my shoulder using a judo throw maximizing the assailant's forward momentum against him. The result is a flying vampire who slams into the wall causing the ceiling above the impact site to collapse a large chunk of stone that falls on top the vampire. Much to the vampire's dismay I might add. Another two vampires come at me this time they are not as easy to take care of. Both are wielding weapons, one with a sword and the other with an ax. The two vampires try to intimidate me by showing their fangs but all my attention at there combat stances. A flurry of weapon clashes occur as we begin our fight. I hear a third voice off to the side.
“Remember we need her alive.” It was Ivan talking from the side.
I pull out Tanken so I can oppose both opponents simultaneously. These two vampires are very skilled and they don't allow me to land any strikes on them. My decision to take out all the sleeping vampires earlier was 100% the right decision these guys are worthy opponents and could potentially kill some of our party members. I notice something about them though, there is a certain wildness about there fighting styles almost like they are in a frenzy. It's not enough to cause an opening but definitely noticeable. Then I noticed there eyes. They were red.
I had seen those eyes before on Jennifer, she had to travel for business and returned late. Apparently someone had stole from the person she was meeting with and she was held up much longer then she intended. She had gone alone so she had no way to drink until she got home. She apologized to me the next day for interrupting my sleep but I will always remember those eyes. The eyes on the verge of losing control. I smile to myself, Jennifer once told me that my blood was by far the most delicious thing she had ever tasted. Time to push these guys over the edge.
“You guy's look really thirsty. That guy is not sharing with you? Its ok I will let you have some of my blood. I hope it's to your fancy.” I then cut myself very slightly across my nape causing a trickle of blood to flow out. Within seconds the two vampires eyes were totally engulfed in red. They abandoned there weapons and lunged at me recklessly. I utilize a technique Jennifer taught me it she called it an 'illusion without illusion magic'. You use a sudden change of acceleration to create an afterimage.
I do a sudden front flip over the two vampires who grasp at air smacking into each other. Before they can turn around in time, Tachi had already bisected them at the waist both in the same motion. Though not dead yet those two are not going anywhere any time soon. Ivan began to clap and walk forward towards me. His smile quickly disappeared when he got a good look at me he looked like he had seen a ghost.
“Tell me where you got that choker you got on your neck!” Ivan was talking about the choker I wear which was a gift from Jennifer.
“Maybe I found it? What does it matter to you?” I ask Ivan.
“Don't be stupid you must be really important to the Daywalking Beauty for her to give that to you. It was after all her daughter's, it's nostalgic because you do resemble her in a way.” Ivan said.
“She never mentioned any daughter.” This was news to me.
“Yeah her daughter had the daywalker blood in her too. The leader of the Steinberg coven Vladimar Steinberg tried to abduct her but she fought back and was unfortunately killed in the kidnapping attempt. Vladimir unable to get her daughter so he tried to then take the Daywalking Beauty herself but she ruthlessly slaughtered the whole group. She disappeared and has only popped up several times usually assassinating a member of the Steinberg coven. Now you will tell me where she is!” Ivan began to his attack.
Ivan weapons were two shortswords. He rushed right up to me in a second I went to counter but it was a feint, exposed he swung one of his swords at me. I ducked backward but he still scored a cut on my abdomen, such vicious attacks.
“Fufufu don't you need information from me and also need me alive?” I asked him.
“Thats true but I can always just turn you if you are going to die.” He countered.
Without holding back he continued to attack me, I was having trouble keeping up this is the first time since I fought Max that I have been challenged to this degree. I wont back down from a good fight though. I have an advantage of reach with my weapons but he is slightly to quick and keeps dodging them. I jump back from him for a second and sheath my twin blades. I then pull out my daggers from my ankles.
“You think dagger's will change anything?” He then tried a combo attack on me but this time I am much quicker with the daggers opposed to the meter long katana and I am able to dodge them with a cartwheel landing a decent kick to his midsection. However this foe wouldn't be so easy to have the wind knocked out of him as I did with his buddy earlier.
He went in again with the same move he opened up on me at the start. Ha! Using the same feint twice does he think I wouldn't notice? Instead of stopping to block I attack at the incoming blade. Just as I suspected it was the same move. I duck underneath and then release a vicious combo with my daggers. Stab to left femoral, stab to left kidney, slash across the left bicep, and a finish with a spinning slash to the left Achilles before rolling away. He drops to one knee for a second obviously staggered from the sudden onslaught beneath his guard.
“You landed to one killing blow and three crippling blows in under a second. I can see why she has taken an interest in you. It was foolish of me to try to use the same move twice.” He then pulled out a bottle some type of potion or perhaps blood and he drank it. The wounds began to heal almost instantly. He then did something unexpected he went to leave to another area inside the barracks.
“Hey you are just going to leave? We are not done here!”
“Well I would be lying if I said I didn't want to interrogate you about where I can find Jennifer but you obviously are a opponent that can beat me. If I capture you Kormon will just take you from me so there really isn't any gain for me. I was only here to keep tabs on this group and try to create a relationship with them. When you see the Daywalking beauty let her know that the Stein berg's haven't forgotten about her.” He then departed, I had eliminated all of his buddies he would no longer be a problem. I will talk to Jennifer about all this once I get back.
I go and pull down the lever, I hear the sound of chains pulling something up and then a thud. Almost immediately my party entered in. The warriors had some blood on them and I could see several dead carcasses behind them that looked like demon hounds.
“What took you so lon...?” Leon began to say but then he noticed the two bisected vampires who were on the verge of death.
“While you guys were playing with puppies I had to deal with a pack of vampires. Any injuries I have a high potion if there is something bad enough that cant wait for us to find this barrier rune so Reid can heal them.”
“No we should be fine in that regard but lets quickly find this thing.” Reid explained.
Oliver was able to find the the rune and successfully deactivate it. Luckily we found a map of the barracks. Soon we would be upon the emerald stairway leading into the inner palace.
“The emerald stairway should be just beyond this gate everyone stay sharp.” I told everyone as we opened the gate.
The emerald stairway was unlike anything else I have ever seen. The stair's themselves were pure white marble, the railings were made of bright green emerald. Up high on the walls were beautiful stain-glass windows depicting the Karthian gods. There also was several statues of some Karthians placed on the side. The gate leading into the inner palace was too made of emerald. At the top of the stair's before the gate the is a large landing area. Something felt off about it though, I use the Sidhe staff to cast dispel illusion. The amplified spell quickly reveals a party of about 10 all in very good gear in the middle was a caster with a lunar staff, Mazasius. Quickly my suspicions are confirmed by Oliver.
“You bastard you will pay for what you did to Ellie!” Oliver was really pissed.
“Oh my former apprentice Oliver I haven't seen you in a while how you doing. Ellie? Who is that again? Oh that girl I tested the command sigil on? She satisfied my every command and trust me I took advantage of that. Hahahaha” Mazasius successfully taunted Oliver who I had to tackle to prevent him running up and attacking him.
“ I was thinking instead of a boring battle we could decide this affair with a game. Oliver you remember the game we use to play at Mahouren Stratim? We will just add stakes to it. The winner gets to pick two conditions and the loser must abide to it. My conditions are simple that young girl becomes my prisoner and the rest of you must leaves the lost city.” Mazasius offered.
“Stratim what are the rules and mechanics of this game?” I ask Mazasius.
“Stratim is a game of pure strategy. It uses low level enchantment magic so it is a good game to practice enchantment magic.” Mazasius then drops a rune I can feel space-time magic. Where he dropped the rune there is a large board that is checkered identical to a chess board but the pieces are different.
“Each player gets 8 soldiers who have attack strength of 1 and can only attack 1 tile away. They have 2 archer who can only attack in a straight line in front of them or to the side there attack strength is two but if there is an opponent within one space of them it drops to 1. They get two lancer's who only can attack within 2 tiles, or one tile diagonal whose attack is 2. Two casters who can attack only pieces diagonal to them whose attack is 2 but also changes to 1 if there is an opponent 1 tile away just like with the archers. The last two pieces are special the cleric which can heal pieces that are damaged, that are either in a straight line in front of them or to side as well as diagonal, the healer has no attack but has defense of 2. The last piece is the most important its the enchanter he can buff any piece that is next to him or in a chain of friendly pieces next to him. Then enchanter like the healer has no attack but has defense of 3. Two win you simply have to defeat the enchanter.” Mazasius explained the basic mechanics of the game.
“Explain movement of pieces and the buffing.” I still needed some more information.
“So all pieces can only move one tile at a time except for the Lancer he can move 2 tiles. Each side gets 12 buffs. 5 offensive buffs of three of which are +1, and two that are +2 and 5 defensive buffs again three that are +1, and two that are +2. The last two buffs are movement buffs adding 1 to movement speed. A piece can have a maximum of two buffs at any given time and you can double up on offensive or defensive buffs. A turn consists of 3 phases the first part is the movement turn, they can move one piece within the given mechanics but can't move through other pieces. The second part of the turn is the attack, they can attack with any piece once the attack minuses from the defenders defense. The third part of the phase is the buffing phase they can move a maximum of two buffs that are next to or in a chain next to the enchanter. Oh yeah the base defense of every piece except healer an enchanter are 1. If an attacker attack strength is greater then the defender's defense that piece is beaten and it and any buff's attached to it are lost. If a defensive buff that was keeping the defender's defense above 0 is moved that piece is also lost. Instead of attacking the player can heal instead restoring up to 2 defense to a piece within the healer's mechanics of healing.” Mazasius finished explaining.
“You have never lost a game of Stratim we would be foolish to........” Oliver began to decline him but I interjected.
“We will accept but what assurance will we have that you would abide to the conditions?” I ask must to Oliver's dismay.
“Well in addition to being a master enchanter, I happen to be a master scribe I will just write up a blood contract. Failure to comply with the contract within the designated time will result in death.” Mazasius had an enormous smile on his face.
“Lara don't do it Mazasius has never lost a game of Stratim and we outnumber his group.” Oliver
“We may outnumber them but they have higher level's then us. To be frank a fight with them would honestly be a toss up. Any ways I have a feeling I know why he has never lost.” I try to reassure Oliver but he remains objective.
“This is not wise, there is no way I can beat him.” Oliver looked at me with a face saying please don't do this.
“All you have to do is do what I tell you with the pieces and we will win, anyways its my own freedom that is at risk. Trust me strategy games happen to be my specialty.” I say with a big smile on my face.
“Write up the contract, our two conditions are that you get us into the inner palace without resistance. The second condition is that you turn yourself into the templars of the church if you lose.” I tell Mazasius.
'
“Very well we shall settle this with wits, rather then violence.” I was about to play the most important game of my life, playing something I have never played before. Why? Because I never turn down a challenge, that dates back to my day's as Taiko.