The smell of smoke in the air became thick as I closed the distance with the burning town of Redstyre. Despite my rapid pace, I didn’t feel the least bit tired even from a full on sprint that I had been keeping for nearly six minutes. I was in the best shape of my life, and my abilities could only increase from here on out. But plans for self improvement could come later. For now, chilling screams accompanied by roaring flames in the air urged me ever onward. The wooden palisade rose ever higher until I was but a few feet from the barrier proper.
“Alright. Time to try something risky.” I murmured to myself as I cocked back the string of my crossbow and focused on my spirit. Within seconds, I could feel my inner strength surging within my chest. ‘If it worked with the eyes then how about the legs?’ I swallowed hard as a bolt formed, ready to be fired at the pull of the trigger. That very same moment, I linked my legs to my spirit, sprinted towards the wall and leapt with all of my might.
For a brief second, I felt as if I were flying.
Wind whipped past me as I surged towards the top of the palisade in all of it’s spiked glory. Though my leap had brought me most of the way to the lip of the wall, I wouldn’t clear it as I hoped. Without missing a beat, I threw my weapon forward and pulled my spirit to my arms just as I was about to collide with the wall. Solid wood met my body in a rough impact that felt as if I had been hit with a swimming pool noodle. My hands latched onto the spiked top, keeping me from sliding down and wasting all my effort.
With a grunt, I pulled myself up slowly and not-so-gracefully vaulted over the top without being impaled upon the spiked tips. Quite a distance away in the village proper was a large stone structure that looked as if it were a church of some sort. Compared to the burning and destruction seen all around, that building looked to be untouched. As I fell, I took stock of my nearby surroundings. Bodies lay unceremoniously upon the dirt streets, looking as if some ferocious animal had ripped and torn at them before leaving them in a heap. Flames licked at buildings that had collapsed, blocking alleys and streets. Smoke clogged my throat as I fell to the earth, forcing me to choke as I landed amidst a pair of bodies that were ripped and torn with pieces scattered about. Bile quickly rose from within and I heaved out all I could upon the ground.
“What the hell…” I coughed and felt more waves of nausea fight it’s way up into my throat. “Its just a game…just a game…” I whispered to myself in a sort of mantra to try and keep myself from freaking out. It seemed to help…slightly. At the very least I could steady my breathing as I looked around for my crossbow. A quick search revealed it laying against a pile of debris. Wasting no time, I rushed over to my weapon and held it firm as another set of screams sounded off deeper within the village. Without a second thought, I rushed towards the screams with my weapon locked and loaded. As I turned the corner beyond the street I was in however, I set my sight upon a disturbing sight.
A tall, thin creature was currently crouched over a fallen body of what looked to be a child about ten meters away. The sickening sound of tearing and slurping was enough to send forth a new surge of bile in my throat that I forced down. The creature wore no clothes, revealing the bones upon it’s flesh where, at occasional points, the bone broke through the skin sending dribbling yellow blood to the ground. Claws tore into it’s feast as a long tongue lapped up the flowing blood as it’s tail swayed back and forth as if it were pleased with it’s slaughter. In complete disgust, I aimed my weapon and pulled the trigger.
A loud ka-thunck sounded beside my ear as the crossbow’s bolt shot forward at insane speed, taking the beast in the back. A loud screech escaped it’s maw as it turned towards me. Beady black eyes no bigger than golf balls stared at me with hatred. Blood dripped from its fangs that it bared at me.
‘Kill it!’ my mind screamed as my hands rushed to the crossbow’s string and pulled back as another bolt settled into position. An ear-rending screech was all the warning I got as the beast lunged towards me with out-stretched claws. With the butt of my crossbow held against my shoulder, I aimed at the beast once more and fired.
One moment, the beast was charging forward towards me with bloodlust in it’s eyes. The next, it was sailing backwards as my bolt took it in the face. Claws ripped at it’s own face in an attempt to remove the foreign object, but only served to harm itself more. With a click, a third bolt settled in place and I took aim once more as the beast thrashed against the blood-soaked earth.
“Go to hell.” Once more, my weapon cracked as a bolt splattered the innards of the monster’s head. It’s struggles continued for a few seconds longer before it finally stopped moving. Unwilling to take even the slightest chance, I unloaded a fourth bolt into the beast, but it showed no signs of still being alive. “Jesus Christ.” I swore as I took a deep breath and loaded my weapon once more. Just what the hell had I gotten myself into?
“Three bolts…” I sighed as I stared at the strange monster whose claws were longer than my fingers. For such a thin creature, it was surprisingly durable. The bolt to it’s body looked as if it hadn’t slowed it down any. In fact, the bolt hadn’t even pierced all the way through! It had burrowed within the beast certainly, but it made no exit wound. “Just what are these fuckers made of?” I wondered as the sound of crumbling stone caught my ear.
Off on the other side of the street, a pair of those beasts eyed me wearily as they climbed over a pile of burning debris. Before I could react, they charged in tandem with claws outstretched. “Shit!” I yelled as I took aim and paced backwards in an attempt to gain ground. Air cracked as my first shot sailed into the face of the nearest beast, sending it flailing backwards. My hands flew as my heart thumped heavily within my chest.
With an echoing screech, the remaining monster leapt through the air like a missile. A bolt had yet to form within my weapon as the monster neared. With all my strength, I gripped the crossbow and slammed it towards the monster. Hard wood met soft flesh as a slight crack could be heard before the beast screeched in a rage. Long talons raked at my arms as the beast fell into its back. In an instant, the beast leapt to it’s feet in a snarl just in time to receive a bolt to the forehead.
“Fuck!” I gasped as my arms burned from the cuts the monster had sliced into me. “Theraius you fucking liar!” I clenched my teeth as I swore, “you said I wouldn’t feel pain anymore! This fucking hurts!” Granted, it was far more muted than I was sure it would feel like normally, but still, it fucking hurt! A gurgling snarl rolled from where I had shot the first of the pair. I could only gasp in horror as I stared at the still-standing beast.
It had ripped through half of it’s face to get at the bolt that had dissipated within it’s flesh. Its tongue falling loosely down where it’s chin had once been. Blood poured from it’s self-inflicted wounds as it ran towards me. “Fucking die already!” I yelled at the monster as I readied my weapon and fired, taking it once more in the head and ending it’s life for good. With a sigh, I rolled up my sleeves and checked my arms, only to be shocked at the sight before me. Where once I had clearly been cut and bleeding, now only scars remained.
“Super healing?” I pondered before shaking my head. I had more important things to worry about than my lack of blood-loss. Haunting screeching and screaming came from further within the town. With a sigh, I loaded my crossbow once more and made my way further into the town.
“Just hang in there.” I silently pleaded as I raced through rubble and flames. “I’ll get you out of this hellhole or die trying.” Once more a familiar feeling of weakness filled my body as I caught myself from falling. “What the hell is happening? Damnit, Dakeris should have at least showed me the ropes before sending me off to this hellhole.”
More bodies filled the streets as I progressed further into the hellish landscape of Redstyre. The sound of wooden beams cracking under the stress of their own weight made me jump on more than one occasion. Collapsing stone had almost buried me at one point had I not enhanced my legs for a quick dive. Fortunately…or perhaps unfortunately, the familiar sounds of screaming had stopped long ago. Either the survivors had escaped, which I found very unlikely, or the beasts had succeeded in hunting their prey. Regardless, I trudged further into the town towards the large stone structure that stood in the town’s center. Though doubts plagued my mind, I hoped that the survivors had made it into the building and barricaded themselves within.
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Screeching came from the direction of the church, which not only solidified my choice for heading towards it, but also made me curse at myself for striding towards danger. Unfortunately, taking the main street would prove to be impossible, as collapsed buildings and burning debris blocked the way. Though I could enhance my legs and leap over the rubble, I’d rather not land in the middle of a hungry pile of those things. With my weapon nocked to my shoulder, I traveled down a side street that I hoped would lead me to a clear one.
Slowly, I stalked through the ruins, my ears tense for any sort of sound other than the repeated screeching coming from my destination. My heart leapt into my throat every time a piece of building fell under it’s own weight as I turned my weapon towards the source of sound. Yet all I could do is sigh and keep my ears and eyes sharp. Having one of those things jump down on top of me would be a horrible way to die.
Thankfully, my fears never came true, and I emerged onto a street that had a clear way towards the church. Unfortunately, it also had a clear line of sight towards my destination. And I did not like what I saw. A large ring of those monsters hissed and snarled towards a lone figure standing out front the closed wooden doors of the building. More and more of the monsters gathered as they clambered through fire and debris to swarm a large, lone figure clad from head to toe in heavy armor who stood ready with a massive axe in their hands.
As I closed the distance towards the figure, I could see them panting in exhaustion despite their heavy armor. Yellow ichor coated their metal armor, clearly from the very large piles of bodies laying all around them. The beasts hissed and snarled at the figure. Some even dared to lunge towards them before retreating back before the stranger could take a swing at them. They were cautious of their foe, and that brought hope swelling within me.
Moving as quietly as I could, I slunk into a shadowed corner, slightly obscured by the smoke of a burning building. I wasn’t going to be much use in a close fight like that stranger, but I could provide some fire support. With my weapon cocked, I took aim and waited. One of the beasts seemed more ansty than it’s fellows, so I trained my crossbow at it’s back and watched it closely. The moment it took a lunge at the stranger, I fired. Like lightning, the bolt collided with the creature’s back, sending it stumbling towards the stranger who reacted immediately. Within an instant, their axe swung with unrelenting power that split the creature in half.
More hissing filled the the air as a pair of beasts used this moment to strike, sending claw and fangs towards the metal figure who had just split their fellow. Claws met blade, and limbs flew as the stranger became a dervish of steel, dodging out of range of retaliation and striking where the monsters were most vulnerable. Taking aim once more, I sighted a creature attempting to shuffle behind my comrade. One bolt sandwich later, the beast started clawing at the back of it’s neck, trying to remove the foreign object that caused it to suffer great pains.
A flash of steel later, and that very same beast’s head was removed. Whoever this person was, they were extremely skilled. Not to mention, strong beyond belief! With another bolt ready, I sent another beast stumbling into my fellow’s range. One shot, one kill…though those kills weren’t mine. Thirty beasts had quickly fallen to twenty before one of the bastards saw me sneak out and take a shot.
A shrill cry escaped the monster’s maw as it charged towards me in a flurry of claws. “Fuck.” I whispered as I cocked back the bow once more and took aim at the beast who had quickly gained a following of ten other bastards. “Fucking fuck!” I yelled out, as my first shot knocked the beast back a few steps after hitting it in center mass. Unfortunately, the thing clambered back up a moment later and resumed it’s charge with it’s fellows. I took another shot at random before turning away and running.
My breath felt heavy as I raced while cocking back my bow. Bolt in place, I turned, fired, and spun back to run once more. Pull, turn, shoot, run. Pull, turn, shoot, run. This was my mantra as the beasts drew ever closer towards their new prey. Pulling my spirit to my legs, I leapt over a fallen home, clearing it easily. Screeching roared behind me as the beasts rushed over the burning wood. As I landed, I spun, aimed, and fired a bolt into the face of one of the leaping monsters.
Sharp claws pierced the ground where I had just been as I rolled to the side. With another leap, I launched myself towards a nearly-collapsed building and drew my spirit into my arms. With a free hand, I caught the lip of the roof and ranked myself upwards. Claws tore through the air where my legs were, a few getting a solid slice in. Fire erupted on my legs as I roared out in rage at the monsters. As the first of the monsters clambered up the side of the building, I took aim and shot it straight through the skull, sending it careening into it’s friends below who hissed in rage.
“Eat shit.” I spat towards them before kicking downward with all my strength. Snapping echoes filled my ears as the building began to shift towards the street below. With a quick jump, I leapt from the falling building as it collapsed towards the beasts that even now attempted clambering up the collapsing building to get at me. Dirt road came ever closer as I fell towards the ground. Clouds of dust shot into the smoky air as I rolled along the dirt road. When I had I stopped I shook my head and scrambled to my feet. I wanted to shout in joy at the thought of being able to leap from a falling building and survive, but the mutilated bodies in the street brought me back down to earth.
“Gotta head back to the church.” I sighed as I cocked my crossbow. Sharp pain erupted from my gut as I looked downward. Three long claws protruded from my stomach covered in red blood. My blood. My mind went numb as I dropped my weapon to free up my hands so I could push these things back out of me. My breath caught short as I attempted to glance behind me only feel fire as one of those beasts sank it’s fangs into my shoulder. I tried to swing my elbow at the monster only for it to send my offending arm flying in a single slice.
My head thrummed in agony as my breathing began to shorten. Attempts at speaking only produced gurgles as a new hole appeared in my wind pipe. Gritting my teeth with my final breath, I swung my head backwards, feeling a satisfying crunch give way and an agonized screech deafened my ears. My vision temporarily blinded as a flash struck my eyes and I felt myself fall backwards. Skies obscured with blackened smoke was all I could see as my eyes began to feel heavy.
‘Least I…took the bastard with me…’ I chuckled to myself as I drifted to sleep.
———————————
With heavy steps, more from pure strength than weight, a large figure clad entirely in metal armor approached the fallen Human that had been killed by one of the accursed Ghouls. The Knight’s horned helm fixated upon the Ghoul underneath the fallen Ascended as burning red eyes stared from within the shaded visor of the helm. Even after waiting a few moments, the Ghoul made no movements signifying it was still alive. The large battle-axe buried in it’s face and the Human’s shoulder had more than done in the otherworldly monster. The throw had been a long shot, but the Human had left the knight little choice in the matter. If he had kept moving, as he should have when fighting Ghouls, he would have survived. Yet the idiot had thought himself safe and had stopped to load his crossbow!
“Amateur.” A muffled voice grunted from underneath their helm. “Good head on your shoulders though. Timing your shots with their lunges was quite clever. Even had me fooled for the first few times.” A warm chuckle rumbled from the Knight’s gut. “I can see why Theraius sent you, though we did request someone skilled enough to help.” With a sigh, the figure tore it’s axe from the Ghoul’s maw and sheathed it at their back. “You’ll do however.”
Weak hissing reached the knight’s ears, and in an instant, the knight fell into a stance with their axe drawn and ready. Two Ghouls emerged from the rubble, their bodies broken and battered from the scorched wood and heavy stones that the Human had set upon them. Not waiting for the Ghouls to make the first move, the Knight surged forth with their axe, splitting the nearest Ghoul at the waist. Yellow ichor poured from the monster’s gullet as it hissed it’s last breath. Before the second one could react, the Knight was there, cleaving it’s head from it’s perch. The monster collapsed in an instant, as if it’s strings had been severed.
“And so ends the assault on Redstyre.” The Knight sighed and turned towards the fallen Ascended. Without another word, they strode forth and grunted as they tore the Ascended from the perverse grip of the Ghoul that had done him in. Without even a sign of strain, the Knight then lifted the fallen Ascended upon their shoulder. Red eyes darted around quickly before finding the arm that had been sundered moments before his death.
“Don’t think you’re out of the game just yet rookie.” Chuckled the Knight as they carried the fallen Human. “Congrats on your first death though. The first of many, I’m sure.” Without another word, the Knight marched towards the Redstyre chapel where the remaining survivors had barricaded themselves.