William slowly advanced on his foe, wary of the man’s steel. William could see and feel the anger and hate of his enemy, but was annoyed that it wasn’t at an irate level. The bandit had clarity and seemed to be focusing it on William. The fight before him would be tough, but he had no choice. The man needed to die. William had a good feeling that the enemy didn’t know William’s parents were nearby, allowing him to focus on ending the bandit mini-boss. The last thing William wanted was for the man to kill innocents out of spite after all. William got within range of the bandit, using [Identify] to take measure of his enemy.
{Ascension_Protocol}
Human Level 15 – Fighter Level 15
{End}
It was going to be a hard fight, William had no doubts of that on seeing the result. There wasn’t much he could do other than punch above his weight class, something he was getting quite consistent with in his time on GAEA. The two clashed, crossing blades, creating sparks and clangs of steel on steel. William used his shield to force the bandit to move his positioning slightly, allowing William to get on a similar level, making the fight now more even in William’s eyes. The two kept clashing blades for over a minute before William managed to draw first blood, taking a tiny gash out of the bandit’s shoulder. Unfortunately for William, the bandit had countered immediately after, using his momentum to slash a deep wound across William’s side. He hissed from the pain, but William had felt worse, and wouldn’t let it impact his ability.
The fight continued that way for a while longer, the two exchanging cuts and gashes, the pair leaking blood in multiple places.
“Not bad, I’m actually having to try here,” William said between breaths.
“Shut ya mouth, and fuckin’ die!” The bandit leader replied, apparently still angry about his son’s demise.
William supposed that was a fair reaction, but was hoping for some back and forth so he could catch his breath. It seemed that wouldn’t be happening. William would need to change things up if he wanted to win, or at least shock his foe into being thrown off balance. An idea formed in his mind as he felt the impact of his foe’s swing reverberate through his sword, into William’s arms. It seemed that William was more drained than the bandit. Something had to change and fast.
William took Sharpie in one hand and did a one handed, wide slash for the bandit’s neck, knowing that the enemy would shift their posture to duck and come up for a counter strike. William was inwardly smiling as he saw the foe duck his blade, summoning Absolution in his other hand, William twisted his body to take the piercing blow in his other side, as opposed to the front of his body. The plan wasn’t the safest as it required William exposing himself, but with the healing potions he had, William just needed to ensure he didn’t outright die. The plan had worked, no matter how agonizing it may have been. As the steel pierced his flesh, William thrust out, catching the bandit in his own side with Sharpie and channeled Mana into Absolution arcing in a downward diagonal angle, cutting deep into the bandit’s shoulder. The bandit recoiled, his momentum taking the bandit’s sword with it as he lost balance and almost fell. William knew his HP was plummeting, however, with how much blood was leaving his body, dropping Absolution. He had to prioritize popping a HP potion instead of going for the finish. Though Necessary, the decision wasn’t ideal. The odds were more balanced afterwards, however, so it was a success for the most part. The taste was still mediocre, but it did the job as he felt his wounds stitch and knit back together.
The bandit was struggling to stay upright, glaring at William. Using the sword as a way to prop himself up, the bandit looked at William’s healing wounds briefly before his eyes widened in recognition.
“Ya fuckers are newly integrated ain’t ya? That’s the only way a fucker like ya would ‘ave a full healin’ potion,” The bandit said, bloody teeth showing in a snarl, starkly contrasting with the blue face paint.
William just shrugged at that, an action he came to regret instantly as the unintentional opening he had created for himself was exploited by a sudden dash from the bandit. William was able to guard with his shield in time, but the angle he was at made his balance sway enough that when he felt [Danger Sense] trigger from behind, he couldn’t adjust his momentum in any way or block the attack. He gritted his teeth for the impending pain, hoping it wasn’t lethal.
William felt a sharp tip pierce through his torso, seeing a spear tip covered in his blood come into vision. His eyes widened, flicking to the source; the surviving spear wielder. The fucker had crawled all the way up the mound with one hand and one leg. Their eyes met briefly and William saw as much hatred as the blue bandit boss that was now wailing down on William’s shield like a lunatic. William growled in his own fury and thrust his sword straight into the face of the crippled bandit. The man died instantly, letting go of the spear that was still stuck inside William’s body. The attack had been brief, but killing one bandit had left him open to the other as he felt steel pierce his side going in deep, hitting something important as William’s vision flared up prompting him to release Sharpie, still buried in the bandit’s skull, before black started to creep in, a cold on the precipice of his mind and body, inching closer by the second.
William wasn’t gonna die to some fucking bandits. He had shit to do, and he would decimate all in his way. Summoning the last vestiges of his strength, William grasped the bandit’s arm, keeping the sword buried inside him, and used his free hand to pull one of his thigh daggers. The bandit noticed and tried to withdraw, but William fought with ferocity to keep the man close. In the next moment, William thrust the dagger into the man’s neck, twisting and slashing outward, a fountain of warm crimson coated William’s world as he was covered in yet another layer of fresh blood.
The bandit didn’t get more than a gurgle out before he fell to the ground, tumbling down the flesh mound, lifeless on hitting the bottom. William’s dagger followed as his hand spasmed. William dropped to his knees, tearing the sword out of his body before he pulled out the spear. So much of his blood was gone that he felt as cold as death itself, his vision blurring. Once the weapons were removed, he summoned one of his two remaining HP potions and was about to pop the cork when his arm spasmed again briefly, causing the potion to escape his grasp and tumble, William tumbling down shortly afterwards. He couldn’t see it, but heard a quiet, distant shatter of glass. He didn’t know if the glass was far away or if his hearing was going, but he did his best to summon the second potion, this time clutching it with both hands. It was a successful attempt as warmth overcame William, bringing clarity, color, and light to the world once more.
With restored awareness, William took in the world around him. He saw two familiar figures crouched down by him, only now feeling their touch. His father was propping him up as his mother stroked his hair. Their faces came into picture, his vision losing its blur.
“Mum, Dad, get inside quick, more will be coming!” William said, appreciating the concern.
He couldn’t let them risk themselves worrying over him. He couldn’t heal things with them if they were dead.
His mother was the one to speak up, “William, you need to hide and rest up, you’re hurt! You shouldn’t be fighting. Please!”
She was nearly frantic in her pleading. He had never seen her that animated and concerned for him. It was incredibly upsetting, but also, equally heart-warming. William looked back to where the others were stood, peeking out form the hut door, most of their eyes trained on him. Armine looked at him with worry in her eyes. William appreciated the worry, but didn’t get to focus on it for long as he spotted Walter looking not at him, but at Noctis. Why would he be looking at Noctis? And why would Noctis be looking back? There was something unspoken in the shared looks.
A thunderous boom sounded, followed by the snapping of wood, sixty or seventy meters down from the flesh mound. Everyone’s attention snapped to the source of the eruption. A large gap in the palisade now spanned several meters wide. Where William had expected a wave of bandits to pour in, instead, a large man with a massive warhammer strode through alone. Why would he be alone? He was visibly threatening from a glance, and that was when William knew who was before him.
Darris Bloodsoaker himself had appeared. The man looked over to the exact spot William and his parents were and gave a wide, vicious grin at seeing the family. William managed to get to his feet and used his Recall rune to bring Absolution back to his hand. Darris looked on with a modicum of interest as he slowly approached, deliberately taking his time.
“Get inside. Now!” William said, addressing his parents, not looking back to confirm that they listened, as he collected his dagger and Sharpie as Darris continued his advance.
William sheathed his dagger, and pulled Sharpie out of his prey’s head before putting it back into his Spatial Ring. That act made Darris’s eyebrows rise and his vicious grin transformed to one of greed.
“Ye got rid of the Blue lot did ya? Saves me hassle later.”
William glanced to his parents noticing that they were back with the others. William had a feeling the big fucker helped as a persuader by just existing there.
“As a thank you, can you fuck off? Please?” William returned, hoping to have some back and forth before it kicked off so the HP potion could do the final inside bits.
His SP was low again and his MP was halfway empty too. When the fighting happened, he would need to be ready to top his resources up again when the emptied. He wished it worked MMO style and he had a tank to absorb damage, then recognized his shield and sword.
“I’m the fucking tank,” William muttered under his breath, feeling frustrated.
He was always a DPS main. Yes he got longer waiting queues but expectations of him were minimal other than good damage dealing.
Darris spoke up once more, snapping William back to the moment as he said, “True. Ye deserve summat fer ya efforts. ‘ow ‘bout some...fun info?”
William watched the giant who had come to a stop about five meters away, appearing to be around six and a half to seven foot tall. It seemed like a good option as he had no illusions that the big guy would leave after all this effort...and the quest.
“Sure, humor me,” William said, feigning indifference even though his curiosity was piqued.
“Ye ar’ prolly wonderin’ ‘ow we knew where ta hit?” Darris said, nearly intelligibly, making William wince internally from the butchering of the language.
William already knew and replied, “Walter is working for you, probably with his parents. And possibly someone else.”
He was now suspicious of Noctis after the weird glance thing he had seen moments before, and hoped to get confirmation, fearful of the rest of Greenwell’s defensive situation. Could he have sabotaged it?
“Yep. Them lot don’t really like ya. Walter’s lot bein’ precise. T’was real easy learnin’ ‘em on joinin’ me.”
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
William pinched the bridge of his nose, getting frustrated at the dumb fuck speaking...some language.
Darris saw the reaction and misinterpreted the meaning as he added, “Seems ta be ‘urtin’ yer ‘art.”
William answered with a sigh, giving up all hope of an intelligent conversation before speaking up once more, “Walter bad. Walter’s family bad. Who else bad?”
It hurt his soul to speak like that, but he realized dumbing his language down might help, or at least insult the big oaf.
“C’mere, both o’ ye,” Darris said, looking behind William.
Two?! Who else? William turned and his heart briefly felt pain before cold overcame it as he saw Armine walking beside Noctis. William looked at the pair, both looking ashamed and guilty and they really should be, he felt. No wonder she broke up with him. Maybe it’s why she bedded him in the first place. He wondered about everything between their first meeting up to the present. Was any of it real?
The two walked over to the bandit leader, followed by the Duncans who looked at William with disdain. With the five traitors in view, William glanced back to the rest behind him, just in case anyone else was guilty. He saw Devlin and Frenn looking hurt and angry. William’s parents were shocked.
William turned back to face the enemy, his aura flaring, encompassing the five traitors and Darris. His rage was heavy, a physical weight on the air as he watched the five drop to their knees, Darris seeming only mildly fazed as the giant frowned briefly before realizing what it was that William did, eyes widening in excitement.
“I get why the Duncans did it, but why you two?” William asked, his tone deathly cold.
“Yeah? Did you both cause the same shit in our town?” Devlin yelled, fury echoing out.
Armine was the one who spoke up, straining under William’s aura, “We had to. Our families are held hostage by these guys.”
Gasps of shock sounded from behind William as he had just noticed his party a few feet to the side of the non-combatants, every visible bearing a face of shock.
Noctis spoke up then, “We just had to sabotage things, they would do the rest and we would get our families back. I have a wife and child, and Armine has her two sisters.”
William’s party were beside him now, prompting William to glance over to the area of the main battle, now deathly silent.
Wallace seemed to notice his gaze and said, “We won Lad, lost a large number of us, but the bandits were wiped out. Everyone else is near the gate resting up and processing things. It was their maiden battle after all.”
William sighed, closing his eyes briefly. He wanted to know who they lost and how many, but now wasn’t the time. William nodded at Wallace’s update, and turned his head back to face Armine and Noctis.
“I’m sorry that happened to you, but how many families in the last place died? How many could have died, or could still die from here?”
It grated at William internally saying those words, but it was true. Two families were objectively not worth the amount of lives lost. But could he really judge them too harshly? He didn’t think he would do things any different if he was in their spot. Of course they valued their families higher. He would need to kill the Duncans now, but did he have to kill them too? Banishment could be enough if Greenwell won the day. Their actions were at least understandable, not forgivable as he and his people were the victim, but definitely understandable.
William decided to add, “Once this battle is over, you two can be banished from here and go get your families. If Darris there is dead, then recovering them shouldn’t be an issue.”
Darris roared out laughing, a full and deep belly laugh. If thunder could laugh, William guessed that would be how it sounded.
“I hate ta burst yer bubble, but they died. Burned alive they did,” Darris said, continuing his laugh, now of cruelty.
Noctis and Armine looked up with shock horror as everyone else around gasped in similar horror. “Burned alive?! Who’d do that shit?” William then realized who had done that shit. He looked at John and Wallace who both looked back at William, their eyes revealing that they had come to the same realization as William. “Fuck. Just...fuck.”
“No! Not them! You promised they’d be safe you bastard!” Noctis roared in anger grasping Darris’s overcoat, not seeming to care that he could be turned to paste by the massive hammer Darris held.
Armine crumbled, ugly crying, broken in spirit. The sight stung William’s heart, making his Aura soften slightly to one projecting slight shame.
“Let go!” Darris boomed, pushing Noctis, sending the man flying back five feet into the dirt.
William winced at the sight, there was some force behind that push.
Darris grunted at the sight and spoke once again, “T’was them,” He said, pointing to William’s group. He continued, “Barred the door, lit the place up. Everyone burned. Sorry.”
Armine and Noctis looked skeptically at William, not believing the big guy’s words. William looked away, failing to maintain eye contact. He knew that his body language gave the truth away, but he just couldn’t bear to look at their faces on realizing the truth.
He heard Armine coldly say, “Why did you do something so evil? Monster.”
He was a monster. He had accepted it. Used it to his advantage. There were three types of monsters though, ones that destroyed all that was good, ones that showed complete apathy to the world and the plights of its denizens, and monsters that will travel the tainted and dark roads for the good of either those they cared for or the wider world.
William saw himself as the last monster, the one that did dark deeds for the good of those he cared for and he now had no qualms about it. What he had done to their families however, was truly despicable, but they didn’t know beforehand.
“We didn’t know. We thought it was more bandits inside and burned it down in hopes to destroy their supplies and take a few of them out. We didn’t know...about hostages. There wasn’t any signs of it,” William said after a moment of silence.
He saw the shocked looks of his parents, Stacey, Jane, and the two brothers Devlin and Frenn. Armine and Noctis were surprised, and angry, but it wasn’t either of them that spoke next.
It was Frenn.
“The bandits are known for taking hostages. Its how they stay around. No one in the region wants to wipe out innocent hostages just to rid themselves of a nuisance,” He said, solemnly seeming to understand the shit sandwich that William had stepped in with the whole debacle.
William was surprised that they hadn’t heard such knowledge.
“How are we only hearing about this now?” William said, failing to hide his shock.
Devlin spoke next, “It’s not something often spoke about as it risks jeopardizing the safety of the hostages. Everyone just pretends it doesn’t happen. It’s easier that way. Less violent.”
William looked around him and replied, “Doesn’t seem like it can get much more violent.”
“No. I suppose in this case it can’t.”
Armine looked up then at William with a cold hatred as she said through gritted teeth, “My sisters died because you were ignorant!”
The hatred stung William to his core. He couldn’t argue with that statement. It was completely true.
He tried to explain, “We suspected a spy in our midst and kept the plan silent to prevent it leaking, and also to protect from any potential consequences on those not involved in the plan. Especially when those people probably couldn’t bring themselves to commit arson and potentially burn anyone alive,” William said, glancing at Jane and Stacey who initially looked hurt from the secrecy, but had changed to understanding after his explanation.
He didn’t think it was completely fine and he was probably going to get an earful later, but he would deal with that when the time came.
“I knew I should have cut your throat while you slept. I didn’t because I hoped you all would flee and surrender this place. I was only told to tell the others your movements so they could get on with their tasks without you knowing. I could have my sisters with me by now,” Armine said, the cold shifting to grief once again.
William understood the willingness to sacrifice things to save those you love, but the idea of cutting his throat in his sleep angered him, making his temperature rise slightly.
He was the one who spoke coolly then, “At least I know why you had the sudden interest in me. Makes me feel some what better about last night. I am sorry for what happened, but it’s done now, and I will have to live with what I’ve done. Maybe you should blame the bandits for starting this shit in the first fucking place instead of the ones who are working to end the problem.”
The tone seemed to reignite her fury as she replied, “My sisters weren’t some necessary fucking sacrifice you bastard. Last night, I ended things because I didn’t want to keep betraying you. I wanted to leave and have my family back. You were just a fun time along the way. I thought you were a good person, but you’re scum like the bandits.”
William gritted his teeth at the response, more anger surfacing at the words.
“Accidentally killing five people due to you lot not sharing things we might need to know, and the bandits being shit is not as bad as the many families you and Noctis have caused to die. From what I can tell, you are as fucking scummy as these bandits. I didn’t know your families, nor did I know those from the previous place you lot screwed over, so objectively, you have way more blood on your hand than I do for two mere families.”
“How can you say that?! One of my sisters was seven, and Noctis’s child was nine!”
“And I have to see their fucking corpses charred and hear there screams when I close my fucking eyes! I’m paying for my mistake. John and Wallace probably are too. I fucked up but I will bear the guilt for life as my penance. At least I have a heart to regret the blood on my hands. I bet you both sleep fine even after destroying a town of people. The people I remind you were close to Devlin and Frenn. Where’s their justice?!”
Silence fell with the only sound coming from heavy breathing from the big guy who seemed to be enjoying the drama.
William felt a warm hand clasp his and looked at the source. It was Stacey. She looked concerned for him, and leaned against his shoulder.
“I’m so sorry you had to go through that. It’s...horrible. To not know what you had truly done until it was irreversible is so unfair,” Stacey said, clasping the side of his head with her other hand.
He leaned into it savoring the touch as he quietly said, “I never want to go through it again, Stacey. I don’t want to kill innocent people. I’m not that monster.”
Another voice sounded, this time Walter spoke up with confidence now he was near Darris it seemed, like the guy would be a sanctuary for him.
“As much of a lowlife as the old world. You should just kill yourself, or be kind and let Armine and Noctis take their anger out on you. It’s the only use you have in this world,” Walter said, with a shit eating grin.
Oh how William hated the guy. Now wasn’t the time to kill him though. Other priorities existed than a dumb heckler. He did let go of Stacey’s hand so he could hop into combat quickly if needed.
Allan spoke up next, “Yeah. How does that girl see anything in you, my boy is much better for her. Your family are the dregs of society and should be thanking us for giving them the money to eat and buy you fresh diapers.”
William growled in annoyance, his friends stepping back a couple feet from him. William had lost focus on his Aura, showing everyone within the level of hatred he had for the Duncans.
“Your family are the scum. Elitist cunts that didn’t immediately get their way in this world so you three stooges threw your toys out the pram and did fuck all for Greenwell in spite. You then betrayed everyone here with that spite. You call me scum? You’re lower than scum. I despise your existence and want to kill all three of you oh so very badly right now. One more fucking word from any of you, and I will start disposing of the trash.”
Leanne made the mistake of not listening as she opened her mouth, “You are nothing but worthless trash. When Darris there is done with you, we’ll make sure to dump your corpse in a ditch somewhere. Where scum belongs.”
William chuckled at her stupidity, genuine mirth showing on his face.
“You definitely existed only to spread your legs for Allan,” William said, still amused.
Leanne never got to respond as a lightning quick [Dagger Toss] left a Mythril dagger imbedded in her throat as she fell, gasping for air that wouldn’t come. William heard the shock of those watching and shrugged. They were going to be executed by him afterwards anyway, so he might as well get some cathartic release from doing it now.
“You fucking bastard!” Allan roared, charging at William while Walter was trying to help his mother.
“Thank you for saving me a dagger and a walk,” William replied, side stepping and taking off Allan’s head with Absolution with a quick slash making use of the momentum of his side step.”
The head rolled and hit the ground seconds before the body did.
“Dad!” Walter yelled, clutching his Mother’s neck as her skin was deathly pale.
[Dagger Toss] had just come off of cool-down as Walter gave up trying to stop the blood. His mother had passed.
Walter stood up and was about to say something, but William was done with the family. He ended Walter with a [Dagger Toss] and [Mana Investment], tearing a small hole through his skull as the dagger flew off somewhere. A distant clang of the dagger landing sounded as Walter’s lifeless body crumpled into a heap, leg twitching.
William saw concern on the faces of his people.
“You all knew they would be executed after this. I just did it early. I doubted the big guy there would have got involved when he gets a show by just standing around.”
Armine looked up at him again and he saw the anger had shifted to terror. Apparently executing three traitors was another thing that was messed up. He didn’t get it.
“What are you? You aren’t human. Your soul is twisted beyond anything a human could be,” Armine said.
“I don’t really see how? Like I said though, after this, you and Noctis are free to leave and go about your lives. If you come back though, I will kill you.”
Armine and Noctis sat in silence not saying a word. William felt his point had been made clearly and concisely.
He looked at his party and nodded. They approached him again, getting into formation. William decided to identify the guy before combat:
{Ascension_Protocol}
Darris Bloodsoaker – Human Level 24 – Fighter Level 24
{End}
William smiled, getting into his fighting stance.
“Okay big guy, you gonna stand there, or are we gonna fight?”
Darris grinned and took his warhammer in a two handed grip as he said, “Hammer time!”