"Till?"
Alex didn't respond, but kept looking around as the duo made their way along what had been the freeway heading into Vegas from the northwest at a fast clip.
"Till?"
Again Alex ignored the Professor.
"Till!"
"What?"
"You know what."
Alex stopped running and instead proceeded at a slow walk.
"How would I know what?"
"Because you're intuitive enough to know what I'm going to say."
"No."
"What are you, 9 years old?"
"No. Damn it. Fine! You're disappointed."
"No. Well, yes. But I don't think we're talking about the same thing."
"What? I thought you were disappointed with how I spoke to Nadia and whatchamahusit back there."
Alex jerked a thumb over his shoulder.
"Whatcha… Hamish."
"Yes, him."
"Just because he tried to kill you doesn't mean you have to pretend to forget his name."
"Seems fair to me."
"Till, come on."
"OK, what?"
"He lost people, just like you."
"It wasn't the same!"
"Alex, his wife was attacked, she died. Then she came back to life, and killed his daughter. It all happened in front of him. They're both Undead and in Vegas and there is nothing he can do. So, he could go into the city, he may even have to end them one day."
"Maddy and Ben burnt alive, just out of my reach. I heard them scream until their lungs were consumed by the fire. I was pinned…
Maddy begged me to kill her. I… smelt them burning."
"Alex, it isn't a competition. You both went through horrible events. But you'll never have to see them again."
"I'll give him that. If he had to kill his wife… or daughter…"
"Exactly. Was that empathy?"
"Maybe?"
"You worry me. Just try to think about other people, Till."
"OK. Now, what should I expect with these zombies?"
"Undead. From my records, a scratch isn't an issue, a bite will end you."
"What about fighting them, what should I expect?"
"None of their Abilities or Skills, but their Attributes carry over."
"So we're hoping for a lot of magic users and less people with my build type?"
"That would be beneficial. The Undead on the outer edges are likely to be freshly Turned Adventurers. While those closer to the
Dungeon are likely to be the Earth 51 travelling Undead."
"So what you're saying is, kill a lot as far from the STRAT as possible, get levels quickly and make my way in."
"Basically. I'd suggest working on quadrants and carving out safe areas as you aren't in a rush. Treat Lost Vegas like a dig, clear the outer areas before making your way to the tomb… or in this case, the high level Dungeon. "
Alex sighed but nodded.
"You're right, no point rushing when every enemy can kill me with a bite."
"One thing…"
"Yes?"
"Undead are rather susceptible to fire."
Alex rubbed his hands together and smiled.
"Brilliant. Let's burn some zombies!"
Alex started running again, his head turning from side to side as he neared the Strip.
"Ready professor?"
"Am I ready to float here, bored, while you hit things with your axe?"
"You don't have to be rude about it."
"Yes, Till. I'm ready."
"Once we get some info from the Broker we'll hit some dig sites."
"Brilliant. I'd suggest following the Colorado to the coast. There may be some Incan Outposts you've unlocked."
"God stuff. We have that Quest to collect Viracocha's Regalia. I also wouldn't mind clearing the Kyrn Rat Quest. Bloody hell, we also need to return Jadon's body. That's a few extra quests."
"Side quests."
"Right. Speaking of Side quests, I think we should go past Station 2."
"Is that a special station?"
"That's my station house. It's a little out of our way…" Alex pulled up his Map. "A little. We’re in… Elkhorn,” he jabbed a finger at the floating map, “why does it look like a plant bomb went off? It's so green. Anyway, we should cut through here," Alex swiped a finger through a darker section on the Map, "getting off the Highway. I can't be bothered with more people wanting to attack me. If we head for La Madre we can drop down to Summerlin and Angel Park. Then it's a straight shot to the Strip. After a break at work."
"Till… are you worried?"
"About a few things. I know it's late but I thought there would be more people around. Or at least evidence of people. So far it looks like greenery has taken over and probably eaten people. I could’ve been away for months, or even years. You’re sure time hasn’t been-"
"Incoming!"
Alex slid to a halt, withdrew his axe and rolled under the first attack.
Thundering Gorilla (Level 50) - This Simian has evolved on Earth 92 where it has contended with super storms. Thundering Gorilla's must Attune to the electricity of the storms to make it through their youth. Only the strongest survive.
The huge Gorilla had appeared from nowhere, electricity crackled across its fur and its eyes seemed to contain pure energy. Its fist had missed Alex by inches but had connected with a large tree.
"That tree still hasn't landed…"
"Strength and Intellect build presumably." The professor drifted higher. "The tree just slammed into the side of a building across the street."
"Across the… shit-"
Alex turned to the Gorilla and the two matched gazes. Alex's eyes, flaming with elemental fury locked with the Gorilla's twin pools of barely contained sparking energy.
"Primal Fury. Flame Manipulation"
Alex swung down, creating a Firestorm then lept forwards, creating steps made of fire that he pulled from the storm. The gorilla watched impassively then when Alex got close he raised his arms and clapped. Lightning tore through the night and slammed into Alex's chest. In a burst of light Alex disappeared.
"Till? Till! You need to get up. Till!"
With a groan Alex sat up, then pulled himself from the side of a building. With another groan he clenched his left fist and the Volcanic Axe flew into his hand.
"That hurt."
"This might not be a great match up for you, Till."
Alex nodded then pulled his right arm back and threw the axe with all of his prodigious strength.
"Why…?"
A pained scream tore through the night.
"Oh."
Alex walked forwards then looked down and saw the shreds of his tshirt. With a grimace he tore it free. The gorilla was on its back attempting to tear the axe out of it's chest but every time it touched the shaft the weapon would pulse and release more fire. The animal's chest was already warped from the heat of the flames. Walking up onto the gorilla's chest Alex reached down and gripped the axe, smiling as the Chains of Woe wrapped around it and continued up his arm. The flaming chains pulsed, releasing more fire into the gigantic body below him before they sank into Alex's flesh.
"Fire beats Lightning."
With that Alex tore the axe free, releasing a torrent of superheated blood then swung back, cleaving into the gorilla's head, splitting it in two.
Killing Blow
Thundering Gorilla (Level 50) - Searing Strike
1,200 Experience
Loot Received:
30 C-Grade Credits
"That's a huge drop on Credits and experience."
"Interesting. Before you arrived in Vegas that kill would've netted you a lot more of both."
"Nothing I can do about it. Not like the System has a help line."
System Help is no longer accessible
Initiation Complete
"Helpful. Thanks System."
Alex started to walk away when a flash of light washed over him, turning back he saw the professor drifting closer to the downed gorilla.
"How did you…? Till? How did you kill it?"
"I cut its head in half with my axe. It only happened a minute ago, you were here. Are you ok, professor?"
"Funny. That just finished it off."
The AI drifted closer and it flashed with a bright blue light and suddenly Alex could see an artificial rendering of the gorilla's internal organs.
"What? You've been able to do this the whole time?"
"Off course. How do you think I scan dig sites?"
"That makes sense, but I've never seen it before."
"I haven't felt the need to give you access to this view. Now, how did you kill it?"
The AI and the Fire Warrior moved closer and looked at the scan if the creature's chest.
"My axe throw tore through its rib cage, both lungs and its heart. Then the heat basically cooked it from the inside. See-"
With that Alex reached into the smoking remains of the gorilla's chest, rummaged around then tore free a blacked mass.
"Till… tell me you didn't just tear this gorilla's cooked heart from it's smoking remains."
"I…," Alex looked down at what he was holding, then up at his companion. "That's exactly what I did. Gross?"
"Yes. Put the heart down."
Alex did as he was told, hastily wiping his hand on an unburned portion of the gorilla's thigh.
"You couldn't even see the gorilla in the dark, how did you hit it so perfectly?"
"I-"
Alex stopped as a screen popped up.
System Balance
Latent Skill Detected
Ability Detected
Skill: Blazing Hurl - Guided by fire the Warrior selects a target and throws it's melee weapon, either hitting all foes in its path, or, dealing severe and debilitating damage to a single enemy. The Weapon leaves scorched Earth in its wake, marking enemies outside its direct path increasing the damage done from additional thrown attacks.
Ability - Volcanic Resonance (passive) - A strong connection to the colossal power boiling below the crust of the Earth allows the Fire Warrior to channel Volcanic Resonance through the blade of a melee weapon. While in the body of an enemy the blade acts as a conduit, dealing burst fire damage.
This Ability benefits from damage modifiers from all other abilities. Long encounters can open fissures in the Earth's crust, exposing the surface to the magma below.
"That passive ability, I feel like… it's odd. I feel like I already knew it but hadn't named it. Volcanic Resonance is what powers the Chains of Woe, in a way. It's like they connect to the magma below us through me. It feels like I've just remembered something I'd forgotten."
"Interesting. What about Blazing Hurl?"
"The same, but also different. I spent a lot of time, far too much time, throwing axes at work. Even before that, god knows why. So I've always been accurate with an axe."
"So the System has acknowledged a pre-System skill and after an impressive feat of mastery turned it into a Skill in a System Balance. Very interesting."
"About time, I wanted something new. But you're right, that throw and the one against the Elite Kyrn Rats must've been enough. I wonder if anything else will get balanced."
"Any other secret skills or abilities from before the System. Other than your anti-social super power."
"Real mature professor, real mature. Let's get moving."
The two made their way through the darkness, dispatching lower level gorilla's with little difficulty netting a very underwhelming 400 experience and 15 C-Grade Credits from every kill.
----------------------------------------
“I’d love to know why the experience and credit amounts have dropped so far. No wonder Adventurers are levelling up so slowly.”
“It is an unusual difference. Hopefully you can ask someone at your work.”
“I’m hoping for a little more than that. We’re getting close now and the gorilla’s have been thinned out. Thankfully we haven’t seen any Undead out here.”
“I believe we’re too far from the Strip for Undead. The information I have on them indicates that they don’t move very far from their original infection point.”
“That’s both good and bad for us. Anyway, we’re here.”
Alex and the professor looked across the road at the firehouse, or rather, at the fortified compound that Alex had previously known to be Fire Station 2 - Las Vegas Fire and Rescue and sighed deeply.
“This is different?”
“The barricades, barbed wire and…” Alex walked forward a little, “trench running around the perimeter with metal spikes in it? Yes, that’s different.”
“What’s your plan, Till?”
“Get someone's attention, convince them of who I am and get inside.”
“What if your people aren’t in charge?”
“That I’ll be having a strongly worded and very pointed conversation with someone.”
“Till, if your people aren’t here, shouldn’t you just leave them?”
“You’re probably right… we’ll see what happens.”
Alex walked across the road, looking around and watching for anyone.
“Stop!”
Alex froze in place and watched as a dark figure appeared from a hidden hut that was set into the fence.
"Who are you?"
"Uh…Alex Till. I work here,” Alex looked past the guard and grimaced. “At least, I used to before…,” Alex waved a hand to indicate the surrounding area, “before. I wanted to check on my crew."
"Why should I believe you?"
"Why would I make that up?"
"Till, be nice."
"You wouldn't be the first to try and lie your way into Station 5-"
"This is Station 2. "
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
"Good answer."
"Is Captain Valian here?"
"Alex was it? I’ll get someone from inside."
With that a section of the wall was pulled away and Alex slipped inside.
Alex looked around the area in front of the appliance entrance, cataloguing changes."
"The appliance can still-"
"The what now?"
Alex froze and tried to work out what he’d said that had caused the confusion.
"Oh, can the fire truck still get out?"
"Truck doesn't work anymore. Initiation buggered cars, trucks and… appliances."
"Makes sense. Did the same to my Ford."
"Yip. Gimme a sec."
The Guard pulled a rope tie from the side of the guard’s hut loose and both men watched as the long rope swung back towards the large entrance and knocked softly against the glass. Instantly a woman was at the window looking out. Looking up Alex could see that the rope was attached to a, presumably unused, powerline running from the station to a large pole that the barricade around the fortified complex was attached to..
"Good way to get a message to everyone without leaving your post."
"Don’t wanna be too loud anymore. The neighbours don’t react well"
"The Undead?"
"Not out here. No, gorilla's and a few other beasties. Some littler monkeys and a pack of bears made of crystal. Craziest thing I ever saw."
"Crystal bears? They sound hard to kill."
"Easier than you'd expect. They shatter. Hit'm hard enough."
Alex watched as three people emerged from the station and approached. They all held fire axes, presumably taken from the stations inventory.
"Nice axes," Alex said when they drew near.
"What do you want?" one of thr new arrivals asked.
"I work here, well, I guess I worked here, before the Initiation I mean. I just got back to Vegas and thought I'd see if any of my crew were here."
"Hooooly shit. Did no one else Scan him?" asked the woman Alex had seen through the window. "It's fucking Jäger."
Everyone stepped back from Alex.
"Not this shit again… I'm not here to hurt you. I just want to know if any of my crew are here. If they aren't I'll leave. I have something to do."
Alex looked towards the centre of the city.
"Very dramatic. Can you put your hands on your hips? Then you should strike a pose and I'll see if I can generate a breeze to ruffle your hair."
"Shut up."
"No one said anything, Jäger."
"Not you. Now, I know none of you worked here-"
"You spoke to everyone you worked with?"
"Shut up professor. Not helping. Anyway, are-"
"Who are you talking to?"
"It doesn't matter. It's a level 50 thing." All four nodded hurriedly. "Now, I won't ask again."
"About your colleagues? Valian's insi-"
"Valian's alive!?"
They all stepped back again.
"Yes."
"Take me to him. Now!"
"Yes sir."
After leaving the guard at the gate, Alex followed the other three back inside.
----------------------------------------
"Captain."
"Alex!" Captain Valian reached across his desk and clasped Alex's hand with a strong grip. "I can honestly say this is a surprise. When I sent you off… I obviously had no… I'm sorry."
"If anything you did me a favour sir."
"A favour… you're Jäger?"
"I didn't really think about it at the time. But yes. I think I'd prefer it is you kept my name to yourself."
"You're Jäger… the highest level person on Earth. How?"
"Solo levelling, Dungeons, a lot of blood. What about you? What happened here?"
Captain Valian sagged back into his chair and sighed deeply.
"We're the last from Station 2. On the second day of the Initiation we were overrun by a pack of gorilla's. As the captain here I was given ownership of the property. After the damage and… death I was able to rebuild using Credits. I fortified and invited some locals to move here.
Name: (Captian) Theodore Valian
Race: Human (Earth 0)
Class: Landed Knight
Title: Captain, Land Owner, Faction Leader
Faction: Clark County Resistence
Faction Rank: C
Faction Headquarters: Station House 2
Level: 36
"You've made good progress."
"Leading this Faction, having ownership of the territory, repelling attacks and holding my territory gives me experience. Which has given me access to information and items others wouldn’t have."
Captain Valian removed a palm sized red gem from an inventory and seemed deep in thought. Looking down Alex Scanned it.
Volcanic Cache
Requirement - Level 50
Activate to create a piece of armour specific to your level and Class
This item will scale with your level
If you are wearing items from a Volcanic armour set the item generated will be part of that set - remove items to avoid this
Alex stared at the item in disbelief.
"What do you plan to do when you leave here, Alex?"
"Clear the Strip to the STRAT, then complete the Dungeon."
"Why?"
"Why? For the experience and to get to the Information Broker."
"Is that all?"
"What do you mean Ca-"
"You know what he means Till. He's asking why you want to. There are easier options."
"Oh. That's why. Because I need to. I can't stop fighting now."
Captain Valian nodded then sighed. He put the Cache back in his inventory and looked out the small window in his office.
"Sit down Alex. There's some things you need to know."
Alex stared at where the Cache had been. It was almost like the power it held had torn a hole in his reality when it was returned to the Captain's inventory. Alex sat down, unintentionally choosing the chair he'd sat in just before the Initiation.
"As a Faction Leader and Land Owner I'm privy to certain details that others don't have access to. For starters, I was aware that reaching level 50 would set off a cascade of changes. We were able to prepare. That was part of the reason I fortified our station. The gorilla's and bears were another. I also know what changes someone reaching level 100 will bring."
"Level 100?"
Captain Valian stood and walked to his office door and closed it.
"When you reached Level 50 it increased experience gains for everyone. Reaching level 100 will do the same, it will also activate passive Attribute gains for creatures not from Earth 0."
"So the creatures tearing their way through will be stronger when they arrive."
"Exactly. Also, the System will activate Bounties. Earth 0 humans will be able to list quests to hunt other Adventurers…"
"Shit."
"I'm glad you understand. You'll be Public Enemy Number One, just for Levelling faster than everyone else."
"Shit."
"As eloquent as always, Till," said the Professor.
"I have a question, you might be able to help."
"I'll definitely try."
"What about Sponsorship? When I got to Level 50 that was Unlocked as well, but I haven't seen any mention of it since."
"All I know is that it was Activated, I don't know why it hasn't been acted on yet."
Alex nodded, mentally striking off being sponsored as a way to stay ahead of the Bounty Hunters.
"Clearing some of the Strip, even some of the way to it would be a great help. I gain experience from creatures killed in my territory… I also get experience if my territory grows."
"Wow, Landed Knight sounds good."
The Captain laughed and sat down before sobering immediately.
"Only as powerful as the Adventurers in my territory. You being here and killing those gorilla's on your way in got me two levels."
"Two! I barely got anything for them."
"That brings me to another couple of points, first, clearing the Dungeon will also remove the experience and loot limiter put on Lost Vegas when that rich idiot transferred the broken parts of his city in. Second, now that you're level 50… you can't give into the blood lust that your element will generate. If you fully submit you could lose the ability to level."
"So I'm not the only one impacted? By both factors?"
"Not at all. You'll be hit harder due to level disparity but still, everyone has been struggling. The blood lust issue, everyone will suffer when they reach level 50. It does taper off after a few levels, but you do need to be wary. It's seemingly very easy to submit."
"So no one has benefited from the increased experience?"
"Not at all."
"I'm surprised more people haven't tried to kill me."
The Captain laughed again.
"Give them some credit, you are more than 10 levels more powerful than everyone in Vegas."
"Nothing I can do about the blood lust until it happens. We just need to me mindful of it."
"We?" When Alex didn't respond the Captain continued. "Never mind."
The Captain withdrew the Cache again and put it on his desk. "Now, I have a favour to ask."
"Anything Captain. Well, anything within reason."
"Clear the dungeon. Clear it on Multiverse if you can. If you can carve out a little more territory for me, well, I'd appreciate that as well."
"With the experience limiter in place, that's a big ask."
"I know. I'm hoping this Cache will help."
"Captain… I can't."
"You can and you will. I'll make it an order if i have to. You're out there, fighting. I'm here, protected. Take it. Consider it a down payment on the levels i'll get when you get me more territory and the levels my Faction will earn when the limit is removed."
Alex stared at the gem intently then picked it up.
Activate Volcanic Cache
Yes/No
"Yes."
The gem heated up until it burst into flame.
Clark County Fire Department Volcanic Jacket
B-Grade Armour
Armour Stats:
Resistance: High
Durability: n/a
Weight: Medium
+30 Strength
+30 Inner Fire
+15 Constitution
On Equip:
Item immune to fire damage
Increases Fire Damage from all attacks
Self Repairs
Instantly Learn Skill - Infernal Armour: Cloak yourself in fiery armour, granting increased defence and resistance to all elemental attacks
Volcanic Retribution Set
(2 of 5 Collected)
5 of 5 Unlocks: Legendary Ability: Fire God
"Amazing! Clark County as well."
"That was unexpected. At least you're representing the County now."
"Will having me in your colours effect your recruitment?"
"Not at all. Having the highest level Adventurer wearing CCFD colours? I'd be just as honoured now as I was when you first arrived here years ago."
Captain Theodore Valian has invited you to join the Clark County Resistance Faction
Accept Faction Invite
Yes/No
Alex didn't hesitate and joined instantly.
The Captain leaned back in his chair and his eyes went wide.
"Captain?"
"I'm OK, I'm OK. I didn't expect that to level me as much as it did. Should've expected it."
Name: (Captain) Theodore Valian
Race: Human (Earth 0)
Class: Landed Knight
Title: Captain, Land Owner, Faction Leader
Faction: Clark County Resistance
Faction Rank: B
Faction Headquarters: Station House 2
Level: 39
"It improved the Faction as well. Interesting."
"Captain, the Jacket gave me a new Skill. Would you mind if I…"
"Of course. I'm just going to look over my Faction Screen."
Alex leapt to his feet and flexed his fingers, unsure of what the Skill would feel like.
"Infernal Armour!"
Instantly plates of volcanic rock formed on Alex, wrapping around him until he was encased completely. Even his head and face were covered but he could see through the rock. Without needing to be told he knew it was due in part to the Skill and his Fire Attunement. Crouching and flexing Alex tested his movement before withdrawing his axe.
"It doesn't impede my movement or Inventory access at all. The axe and armour fuel each other. Amazing!"
Checking his HUD Alex noticed that the armour would only last for 4 minutes, that dropped to 3 when he put his axe away.
"Alex, you need to be careful. You're going to scare people and scared people make stupid decisions. You look like a fire demon."
Alex nodded and dismissed his new armour and returned his axe to his Inventory.
"Thanks Captain."
The Captain nodded and shook Alex's hand again before pulling the younger man into a rough hug and slapping him on the back.
"Give them hell, Alex. For Clark County!"
Nodding Alex turned and headed to the store room and grabbed multiple Station 2 shirts in his size. Armoured in his new jacket and a department shirt he felt more human than a crazy person running around topless.
----------------------------------------
"Are you ok Till?"
Alex and the professor had been moving towards the Strip since leaving the station and hadn't spoken.
"Yes."
"Good. You've been so chatty it's been hard to contain your excitement."
"Hmmm?"
"Alex! What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Something. I don't know. Didn't that seem odd?"
"Odd? I don't know your Captain, he seemed fine. He gave you a great piece of gear."
"Exactly. Why?"
"Why did someone who thought you were dead, who obviously cares about you, gave you something that will help keep you alive?"
"Exactly! I can't work it out."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes. Part of me wants to go back and ask."
"Till… he did it because he likes you. Maybe not as a friend because he is, or was, your boss. Technically he's your Faction Leader now. But he at least respects you for what you did while you worked for him and what you've done since."
Alex stopped abruptly but continued checking for enemies.
"Really?"
"There is no other reason for him to give you the gear. Something he could use himself… eventually, considering the experience limiter."
"Respect. I didn't expect that."
"Honestly? Why are you so broken?"
With that Alex started jogging again, mind ablaze with the idea that Captain Valian had respected him.
"Why are you struggling with this, Till? I, or the really professor, respected you."
"That was then. I've cha-"
"Changed. I know. I'm not trying to discount what Maddy and Ben meant to you, but you need to keep going. Holding onto it like it happened yesterday, it'll kill you faster than anything else in this new world."
Alex nodded but didn't say anything.
"I mean it Till. You have to get it together."
"I know. Since Maddy and Ben, it's been tough."
"It's been tough because you aren't dealing with it. You just carry on and don't do anything."
"I know. I tried…"
"I'm sure you did. But now you need to really get it together or we'll die."
Alex stopped again and looked up at the AI.
"Wait. We'll die?"
"What do you think happens to Companions when their Adventurer dies?"
"I… I never thought about it. I guess I thought you went back to the System."
"Went back to the System? No, well, in a way. We're absorbed into the System, which is just System speak for dead Companion."
Alex sagged, released a ragged breath then nodded.
"I hear you Professor."
----------------------------------------
The two continued heading into Vegas, constantly looking from side to side.
"Why did you move here? To Vegas."
"After… when the investigation into the dig finished I wanted to get as far away as possible. Mentally and physically. Vegas worked. Plus it was close to the dig site I researched… I guess I needed a connection, even if I kept it hidden away."
"I see. Vegas… I, the biological professor, didn't spend much time here so I don't know the city."
"I don't get into the city, or to the Strip very often, the suburbs are quieter. I liked that. Maddy and Ben had never been here, at least, not with me so I had no memories here. Also, the desert is relaxing."
"Something up ahead, Till."
Alex slowed and pulled up his Map. The Las Vegas Freeway was just ahead, multiple lanes already lost to the wilderness.
"Do you have any information on why everything is growing so quickly?"
"The reduction in carbon monoxide coupled with the reduced reliance on Earth 0 tech and limited travel all add up. There are records of biomes being altered as the System has a baseline that it pushes newly Integrated worlds towards."
"That explains what we saw coming into the city and why the largest freeway in the city looks like a dirt track with small trees growing through it."
"Eventually Earth 0 will absorb streets and roads to power additional growth. It will slow down though. Also, incoming."
Alex looked up from where he was scrutinising the plant growth tearing through to freeway to see a pack of…
"What is a group of gorillas called?"
"Normal, Thundering or Undead?"
"What are these?"
"They were Thundering, now they're Undead. There are a couple of collective nouns, Band is my preference. I don't think there is a term for a group of formerly Thundering Gorilla's that have been Turned."
"Band works. Bloody hell, look at these guys. If Band is the normal term, these guys are the Swedish Death Metal version."
Alex watched as the Undead gorilla's drew closer. The fluid grace of the previous gorilla's he'd fought had been replaced by the jerky, twitching movements of junkie's desperate for their next fix. Something that, while unpleasant to watch, did nothing to slow them down. Large fleshy growths had sprouted from various areas of their bodies. These had proceeded to split open, releasing a variety of coloured fluids. Their teeth had elongated, giving them an almost Vampiric visage. Like the first gorilla he'd fought, the Undead gorilla's were all strength based. Areas of their bodies had torn open, unable to cover bulging arm, leg and abdominal muscles. This had led to additional fleshy growths sprouting from the regularly reopened wounds.
"That's hard to look at. Are those… growths moving?"
As the Undead drew closer Alex could see the fleshy growths reacting to stimuli, seemingly unrelated to the host gorilla's control. Then all of a sudden all the growths twisted unnaturally and seemed to focus on Alex.
"That was…"
Alex took a step back and withdrew his axe.
"Infernal Armour."
The plates of volcanic rock fit over his body as he gripped his axe, feeling the calm before the storm of battle wash over him. With a smile he took another step back as the largest gorilla in the Band slammed down where he'd been standing.
"Zombie Hulk, Smash."
"What was that professor?"
"Nothing, nothing."
With a large smile Alex swept the axe forward and cleaved into the alpha gorilla's chest.
"Ohhh, that's just gross!"
Alex leapt back and threw the axe into the air where the professor took it into her inventory.
Thick viscous fluid coated the stone protecting his hands.
"Undead juice?"
"Professor! Fuck that sounds disgusting."
With a burst of Volcanic Resonance Alex increased the heat generated by the Infernal Armour, quickly burning the Undead juice away.
"That's actually what it's called in the System files. It can be distilled into various Elixirs."
"The System is messed up."
"No arguments here, Till."
Looking up, Alex took in the gorillas. They were also looking up, only they were focussed on where the axe had disappeared.
"Odd."
Undead Gorilla (Level 56) x1
Undead Gorilla (Level 52) x7
Alex looked up and nodded.
Before the Undead could react Alex ran towards them, leaped high, extended his right hand at the apex of his jump and as he returned to the ground, swung down with his prodigious strength, cleaving through one of the lower level Undead from skull to crotch. As the two halves of the creature fell away the axe connected with the ground creating a Firestorm.
"Blazing Fury, Flame Whirlwind"
Alex spun, the flames from Smouldering Embers were pulled into the whirlwind, spinning it higher and faster than ever before.
"Flame Manipulation!"
As he spun faster and faster, creating more flames and increased the damage, blades of fire slammed into the Undead. The creatures screamed their fury as the remaining flesh of their slowly rotting bodies submitted to the fire. The fleshy growths bubbled and burst, the juice quickly evaporating due to the heat. Still Alex spun, revelling in the unadulterated fury and rage that the heat and attacks generated in him. He submitted to the fire and the rage, becoming a flaming machine of death. The bodies of the Undead shrivelled into scorched husks, their extremities reduced to ash and left to be blown away in the wind caused by his carnage.
"Till! Enough!"
Alex kept spinning, oblivious to the world around him.
"Alex."
A flicker of a reaction, followed by a reduction in the speed of the whirlwind.
"Mr Till!"
Alex wavered and in the moment of distraction he fell to one knee. HistoriAI reacted instantly, dipping low to the ground and collecting the axe before Alex hurt himself while he was distracted. Alex lay unmoving. Covered in the flames of his Smouldering Embers and Firestorm.
"Till?"
There was a long groan, then Alex slowly dragged himself to his knees.
"Shiiiit. That sucked."
"How close were you to letting go?"
"Too close for comfort. Thank you, Professor."
"You need to be careful. The number of Abilities and Skills you use seems to exacerbate the blood lust. At least for the first couple of levels."
With another groan Alex levered himself to his feet.
"Skills and Abilities… why not one or the other.” Alex let out another long groan. “Let's not get that close to completely submitting again."