Contested Archaeology Site Located
Quest - Earth 0 | Incan Outpost Archaeology Site
Find or recover all of Historical Significance at the Site
Bonus Archaeology Quest
Quest - Earth 0 | Incan Battle Site Archaeology Site
Find or recover all of Historical Significance at the Site
This quest is only accessible due to the proximity of an Adventurer/Archaeologist who has completed previous parts of The Quest
This area contains the site where an Incan Scouting party initially made camp after evading their Onix Ttono enemies. This is the first Outpost on the Colorado and contains two shrines, one dedicated to Mama Qucha and the other to Viracocha
Charge Viracocha’s Shrine
0/1
Activate Mama Qucha’s Shrine
0/1
Site Accessible - Yes
The Quest:
Recover all 11 pieces of Viracocha's Regalia of Creation
(9/11)
“Contested. The Kyrn are here.”
“Are we going with your unique style, or would you prefer to use mine?”
“Mine. The Shrines… the Kyrn shouldn’t be here.”
“Alex? Are you ok?”
Alex took several deep breaths and pressed a hand to his chest.
“Alex?”
“I’m ok. The Rage, I can feel it just under the surface.”
“It’ll always be there now. Are you sure you want to go all out?”
“I’ll keep it under control. My Fire is pushing it down. Yes, I want them gone.”
New Ben nodded slowly, flashed a quick worried look at the professor who just shrugged.
Two Warring Factions have entered a Contested Quest Zone
Contested Quest Zone is now a War Zone
The Kyrn Dominion must destroy the Clark County Resistance Party
The Clark County Resistance must destroy the Kyrn Dominion Raiding Party and complete the Archaeology Quest
System Message - The successful Faction will receive additional rewards based on the time taken to complete the Quest(s)
“Go.”
With that one word Alex jumped, pulled his axe from his Inventory and pulled his arm back.
“Blazing Hurl!”
Blazing Hurl: Guided by fire the Warrior selects a target and throws its 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.
Scorched Earth: Ignites with Smouldering Embers when the Ability is activated or when fire is introduced to the area.
Alex threw the axe into the largest group of Kyrn, then called his Fire and hung for a moment at the apex of his jump, looking down on the growing patch of fire surrounding the axe.
“Ember Walk.”
Ember Walk: Like ash cast into the wind, the Warrior moves through flames unharmed, using them as a means of quick transportation or as a defence mechanism
Using his own Inner Fire as the start of the bridge Alex disappeared from midair and reappeared amoungst the surviving Kyrn. Several bodies lay in twitching pieces. Walking fowards he felt the Mantle extend down his back and shadows wrap around his form. Clenching his fists served double duty, chains wrapped around his body and the Volcanic Axe pulled out of the blackened dirt and returned to him. Opening his right palm allowed the axe to settle into place.
A large contingent of the Kyrn emerged from several small caves and massed before him, all hissing aggressively.
“Molten Fortress”.
Molten Fortress: Transform into an elemental juggernaut. Encase yourself in a protective shell of igneous rock and lava, reducing incoming damage and gaining temporary immunity to ranged attacks. Attacks against higher-level enemies become even more potent, your very presence radiates intense heat, searing through enemy defences and dealing bonus damage.
While in the Molten Fortress all footsteps will leave a trail of Smouldering Embers that will slowly expand.
This Ability replaces Infernal Armour
Fleeting Buff: Juggernaut: While encased in the Molten Fortress any attacks made at speed inflict both fire and crushing damage and leave an ongoing damage over time on targets that ramps up depending on the number of enemies that have been hit by the attack.
Chains of Woe is usable in this form
Alex thrust his arms forward, wrapping several of the rats in chains then started to run, rapidly picking up speed until he crashed into the first line of rats. Stopping his charge Alex turned to assess the damage, the ground was littered with rat parts, screaming rats missing parts, dead rats and a slowly spreading line of Smouldering Embers.
With a thought the Molten Fortress dropped from his body, each segment landed with a muted thud, erupted in flames and added to the rapidly growing conflagration in the area. New Ben stepped from a flickering shadow and looked Alex up and down.
“You ok?”
Alex just smiled and nodded leaving New Ben to shake his head and drop out of sight.
“Professor, where are the rest of them?”
“In with the Shrines.”
“What!?”
“You should hurry, Till. The ones in the Viracocha cavern,” one of the caverns that some of the mass of Kyrn had popped out of glowed red, “are getting ready to attack it.”
Taking a deep breath Alex forced himself to calm down, his Inner Fire seemed to flow through his body trying to smother the Rage before it emerged. Stepping forward Alex took another deep breath, then another until he was walking calmly into the cavern.
“Your Pantheon sent you here to die.”
Every rat head swivelled to face him and charged, claws, fangs, daggers and large wooden clubs all rushed towards him. All except one, one Kyrn, larger than the others leaned against the Shrine and watched as Alex pulled back his axe and swung it into the charging group. Legs dropped to the cavern floor while upper torsos were separated and pushed to the side.
“Emmpressurve.”
Alex looked at the large Kyrn and waited for more.
Kyrn Berserker - (Level 90) - This Kyrn was raised to resent the System and all the benefits it provides. It shuns any Abilities or Skills and only allocates Attribute Points as they are a byproduct of its own work
Damage increased in Null Zones
“You’re new.”
The Kyrn nodded slowly and took one step towards Alex then it’s face split into a terrifying approximation of a grin. It slowly removed a small stone from a slightly larger loin cloth. The Berserker didn’t take it’s eyes off Alex as it dropped the stone on the ground then stood on it.
You have entered a Null Zone
Abilities and Skills are unavailable
Inventory is Locked
Map is Locked
System Access is Restricted
“Shit.”
“Alex, what did you do?”
“It wasn’t me, it was this rat.”
“Professor Ladere is gone.”
“This just got worse.”
“I’m sure it’s due to the restricted access.”
“How many do you have left?”
“Just one big rat, bigger than usual. He’s got a little pouch… and a stone… and, well, shit.”
Null Zone Reinforced
“Only one thing for it, time to-”
“”Pull this rat into your cavern so you can take on both of them.”
“You can’t fight?”
“Against this big prick, not on my own. Null Zones are death sentences, especially when my blades are created by an Ability and all my other weapons are locking in my Inventory. Do you have your axe?”
“Yes.”
“Then…”
“Fine.”
Alex grumbled then backed out of the cavern to face both Berserkers and to find New Ben.
“What happened?”
“He's fast, he crushed my legs before you got here.”
Alex looked over at New Ben who was sitting, rather pathetically if Alex was being honest, on the ground, bleeding from both legs.
“Fast? My guy hasn't even-”
Alex was launched off his feet when something powerful and fast hit him from behind.
“See?” New Ben coughed and shuddered before looking back at Alex and raising his voice, “Fast!”
Landing in a heap Alex lay for a moment on the ground in a mass of Kyrn bodies. Checking his HUD revealed nothing.
“How do I deactivate the Null Zone?”
“Null Zones. Did you guy crush his stone?”
“Yes.”
“You need to kill both of them and burn thr bodies.”
“That seems extreme.”
“The Null Stone dust is in their blood.”
Alex groaned as he pushed himself up with his axe.
“Of course it is. For fuck sake… sorry professor.”
“Why are you sorry? She isn't here.”
“She doesn't like when I swear.”
“She doesn't like… what are you? 13 years old?”
“No.”
“Alex, she's your Companion.”
Alex shrugged, realised New Ben couldn't see him from his position, wounded and patheic on the ground, then winced as something pulled in his back.
“I know. But that doesn't mean anything. I'm just as much her Companion as she is mine. Especially after her Evolution.”
“Professor Ladere Evolved?”
“Yeah, after the Multiverse Dungeon.”
“You two… anyway, kill these annoying rats will you?”
Alex shambled forwards, dragging the flaming axe behind him. One Berserker huffed and looked away, the other raised a clawed fist and swung at Alex who reached up and caught it at the last second. Now that he was closer to the Berserker more details were apparent.
“Are these guys human/Kyrn hybrids?”
“Oh.”
“Just ‘oh’?”
“That explains the situation on 39 a little more. Yes, that's a hybrid. The Kyrn Leader must be some kind of Evolutionist.”
Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.
Eternal Equilibrium activated, producing an ornate screen which shocked Alex.
Evolutionist
A master of genetic manipulation, wielding the power to modify and splice the DNA of creatures. With the ability to create hybrid beasts and adapt them to any situation, Evolutionists are formidable allies and fearsome adversaries on the battlefield
“My Viracocha passive just popped up a screen with info on the basic Evolutionist Class.”
“That shouldn't be possible, it's an Ability.”
Alex swung up with his axe, taking the rat’s arm off at the shoulder. That was when it stopped being easy. The second Berserker charged in shoulder first and launched Alex away from its bleeding ally. As he flew through the air like he'd been hit by a truck he dropped his axe and saw the uninjured Berserker slap something onto the others bleeding stump. Then he hit the ground and ragdolled, again, through a stew of eviscerated Kyrn.
The ground seemed to tremble and Alex rolled over so he was on his hands and knees, without looking up he spat blood into the already blood covered ground and groaned slightly before rocking back and sitting on the gut of a headless Kyrn. Then, like he had all the time in the world he looked up at the two Berserkers and smiled, showing his bloody teeth and wincing with the effort.
“Fast-” he coughed up more blood. “You're fast. I should've put more into Agility.”
Scan Unavailable
With a grunt Alex got to his feet and extended his right hand and clenched his fist. The Berserkers watched, both cooking their heads to the side in unconscious mimicry of each other.
“This usually… my axe… just give me a moment.”
Alex clenched his fist again and nothing happened. Then he noticed that his chains weren't manifesting.
“Damn it. I honestly thought the weapon ability would be different. Those Null Rocks are no joke.”
“Fiiiteee.”
“Yes, yes. We can fight. Just let me…”
Alex reached up and ran the back of his right hand across his mouth, wiping away the blood then nodded, first to himself, then second at the two hulking rats.
“Let's get this over with.”
With that the one armed Berserker reached down and hefted the Volcanic Axe, then threw the weapon with all its might. The axe spun toward him and Alex dove to the side, suddenly appreciating what his enemies must've felt seeing the large weapon flying towards them, fire spewing from its black porous surface.
“Fire!”
Alex gripped the hilt after the blade slammed into the body he had been sitting on, the body that was already succumbing to the intense heat contained within the weapon.
“Volcanic Essence.”
Volcanic Essence (passive): The deep connection to volcanic energy is enhanced after gazing upon the Abyss, widely considered to be the domain of the System and anathema to Human life
Volcanic Essence enhances both offensive firepower and safeguards against invasive forces
In the midst of combat, an impenetrable internal barrier manifests within the warrior's body, preventing any hostile entity from invading or taking control. This barrier is a direct extension of the connection between the warrior and the immense power concealed beneath the surface of an Earth
Note: The barrier does not provide defence from physical attacks
This connection also extends to melee weapons used in combat, transforming them into conduits that unleash burst fire damage while within the body of an enemy
This Ability benefits from damage modifiers from all other abilities
Again Alex smiled and this time it was joined by shadows flickering over his body and his eyes revealing the fire within his core.
“Interesting… that's part of me now.”
Alex gripped the weapon, then felt intense pain tear through his chest. Looking down he saw Kyrn claws had penetrated his chest. Coughing up blood he sagged as the Kyrn that was partially lifted, holding Alex's full weight before gravity took over and the claws started slicing up. Dropping his axe Alex wrapped a hand about the Berserker's arm, holding it in place and stopping his painful fall. Swinging his legs Alex positioned himself so his legs were against the Berserker's hips. Then he slowly pushed until the claws were barely inside him. With a pre-emptive scream he shoved to the side, snapping the claws off inside his chest.
Alex collapsed to the ground with the Kyrn claws inside him, barely able to catch his breath. Looking down he could see blood bubbling around the claws.
“Alex, he punctured your lung.”
Trying to respond, Alex could barely do more than gurgle.
“I can't heal you until they're dead.”
Inarticulate gurgling.
“Alex?”
Angry inarticulate gurgling.
“Oh shit, this is going to be good.”
Alex reached up and gripped the claws and tore them out. This was followed by more gurgling, blood and Alex slamming his head back into the ground. Getting up to his feet, Alex couldn't stand up straight, blood dried from his mouth, chest and the claws. His eyes burned with a renewed ferocity and he took a shaky step towards the Berserker that was nursing its maimed hand. Spitting out a wad of blood Alex stumbled and nearly fell to the ground, then he growled and coughed up more blood.
Finally taking notice, the Berserker looked up and hissed at Alex who kept shambling forwards. The Berserker swung its damaged fist and Alex sagged as it slammed into his chest. Gurgling again Alex drove the three claws straight up under the Berserker's chin. Oddly this brought a smile to Alex's bloody lips.
Alex collapsed under the weight of the large humanoid rat, coughing up more blood as it settled on his chest with the unpleasant sound of ribs cracking.
“Shit. Alex?”
More aggressive gurgling accompanied by Alex straining to push the Kyrn off himself. The fire it his eyes flickered until he managed to slide out from under the dead weight. With another pained scream Alex rolled to his knees, attempted to pull the claws he'd shoved into it’s brain out, collapsed onto the Kyrn's back then shuffled down to the undamaged fist.
“You won't be able to-”
With a pained wheeze Alex ripped a claw out of the hybrid's fist then lay there, wheezing and breathing out blood.
“No. No! Alex, the other one is-”
There was a dull thud and New Ben stopped speaking. Alex's eyes went wide and he looked frantic. Pushing himself up he collapsed twice before managed to force himself up. Blood flowed freely from his mouth and chest and when he managed to breath the left side of his chest didn't move the same way as the right. Looking over to were New Ben had been he saw his friend on the ground with Alex's a large club beside him. The last standing Kyrn was down on one knee, blood was squirting from an artery in its shoulder but it was staring at him. Looking closely Alex could see that New Ben's chest was moving, with only one arm and bleeding out, the rat must not have had the strength left to swing with enoigh forge to kill the Alchemist. The side of his head was a mess of blood, hair and bone.
The two combatants shambled towards each other, both losing blood and fading fast. One with 3 claws, the other with 1.
Alex wheezed and gurgled aggressively while the Kyrn just hissed. Raising his left arm he managed to take all three claws in the meat of it, then he reached forward and stabbed the Kyrn multiple times in the stomach and chest before he was pushed back and the claws were torn free from his arm.
Again they stared at each other, the rat looked down at its new wounds then over at New Ben. With a growl it attempted a claw uppercut which Alex stepped into, again taking the claws in the left side of his already destroyed chest. He fell against the Berserker, their combined weight and injuries forcing them to the ground, this time with Alex on top. With a bloody release of air Alex drove his stolen claw into the rat’s eye, feeling the big bastard twitch as it died.
Minutes or potentially hours later Alex woke to the frantic beating of his heart. His fingertips were blue and bloody and thr Kyrn under him still had it's claws in his chest. Pulling his legs up he got them under him and pushed himself up and off the claws, then promptly fell onto his front. Reaching forwards he pulled himself over the ground to his axe then dragged it behind him as he slid to the first Kyrn he killed. He then rolled onto his side and pulled the large axe up until the blade was pointing away from him and the hilt ran down his body, then he rolled forwards, letting the minimal momentum he managed, his weight and the sharpness of the blade do the work. The blade slid into the muscular body and Volcanic Essence went to work, slowly burning the body to ash. Once his work was done he twisted around and slid across the ground to the next Berserker and repeated the method from before, allowing the axe to do all the work. All while leaving a gory trail in his wake.
Null Zone Lifted
Abilities and Skills are available
Inventory is Unlocked
Map is Unlocked
System Access is Restored
Then he passed out, falling into darkness that wasn't lit by fire.
“Till. Till? Till!”
Alex stirred then his eyes fluttered as he felt something small slap against his face. Forcing his eyes open he squinted up through lidded eyes to see a very angry professor kneeling above him. A sight that brought happy gurgling and more blood to his lips.
“What do you need, Till? You don't have any healing potions in our Inventory. I've been checking, a lot.”
Alex tried to look towards New Ben and luckily his bond with the professor was sufficient to convey everything with minimal gurgling.
“New Ben? Oh. His potions. I'll check on him. I'll just need a little…”
The professor reached out again and for the first time Alex took notice of his HUD. The professor's Maypi meter had bottomed out, but this time when she reached towards Alex a firey spark leapt between them and her meter surged to full. Then his eyes drifted and he lost consciousness, just for a moment.
Coming to didn't bring with it any relief, he couldn't see the professor from his position, on his back in the bloody ground beside a burnt out carcass and wind swept ashes. Returning to his HUD Alex tried not to physically react when he saw his condition.
Dehydrated
Shock
Pierced lung
Pneumothorax
Flail Chest
Extreme Blood Loss
Gastric Perforation
Sepsis
Peritonitis
Class IV Haemorrhage
Thoracic Muscle Tear
Alex tried not to but the last addition to his ailments left him laughing, or, his body attempting to. He flashed back to the start of the fight to the pain. He'd felt his back tear painfully but hadn’t thought much about it. It had been so long since a muscle pain had impacted him.
The professor returned to find Alex with a slight smile tugging at his blood stained lips and cheeks.
“Till? New Ben is… well, he's going to be okay. Eventually. He… I shouldn't even tell you this now. He has two compound fibula fractures, one in each leg, his left patella is shattered and both lemurs are broken. They aren't compound breaks, not in his lemurs at least. Then… like you, severe blood loss and… a brain bleed, broken jaw and his facial bones and skull are relatively shattered. Oh, he was also haemorrhaging badly, not as bad as you look to be. But still a valiant effort at keeping up with you.”
The professor took a deep breath and shuddered slightly but reached out to stop Alex from gurgling.
“He's awake and has used some of his concoctions. Now it's your turn.”
Alex watched as the professor's Maypi meter slowly depleted as she tilted his head back and poured a clear liquid down his throat.
“That will clear any blood… anything, out of your throat and lungs.”
The professor then poured a sparkling golden liquid from a soft clear container into his mouth, then followed that with several small green vials which were poured onto his visible wounds. Opening his mouth to speak, the professor again stopped him with a shake of her head.
“Not yet Till. New Ben said that the golden Elixir was something he makes himself and doesn't have any more, not after using one himself as well. It's a Miracle Elixir.” The professor's mouth twitched but she continued. “Not the best name in the Multiverse, but if it does what it says on the tin, sorry, ‘patented recyclable material’, then you'll hear no complaints for me.”
Alex nodded gently then grimaced as that small gesture sent pain shooting through his entire body. The professor slumped back into her thinking chair and then, seemingly deliberating with herself, pulled a camping cot from their Inventory. It appeared under Alex tearing a pained yelp from him as he was lifted gently from the ground and out of the combined juices that were under him.
“Sorry, sorry.”
The professor had leapt to her feet at the first sight of pain and fluttered around the cot nervously. Squeezing his eyes shut Alex patted the bed with his right hand then passed out, but not before he felt the professor's hand rest on his for a moment.
----------------------------------------
Coming to, Alex found himself in a small tent complex away from the carnage he'd passed out in. Looking around he saw New Ben sitting up in a comfortable chair flicking away at invisible screens, or potentially playing a slow game of Tetris.
“You're awake. Good. Can you speak?”
Alex opened his mouth to reply but found he couldn't get anything out. New Ben nodded and hobbled over to pour the blue content of a vial into this mouth. The dryness he hadn't noticed was replaced with a cooling feeling which when he opened his mouth…
“Peppermint?”
New Ben laughed then clutched at his jaw.
“An unexpected bonus. How do you feel?”
Alex experimentally ran his hands over his chest and didn't flinch, then reviewed his HUD.
Thoracic Muscle Tear
“Wow. That Miracle Elixir does some amazing work.”
New Ben grimaced.
“I know it needs a name change. Professor Ladere has been working on a few options, to distract herself from your absolutely sorry state. I'm sure I'll have a fully worked out marketing strategy, distribution network and prospective investors options shortly.”
Alex laughed softly and lay back on the cot.
“Where are we?”
“A stone's throw from the Site. When you were well enough to move we shifted you to one of my travel workshops and waited.”
“How long…?”
“Three days. Professor Ladere assured me that your quest didn't have a time restriction or we would've woken you sooner.”
Alex nodded slowly then sat up.
“Alex-”
“I need to finish this.”
New Ben nodded slowly then motioned to the entrance.
“Till! You're up.”
“Just. I-”
Alex stumbled slightly but caught himself before falling to the ground.
“Till?”
“I'm OK. I am. My insides just have to catch up and realise that. That Elixir was amazing, and this,” Alex shook his bracelet, “is helping as well.”
“Till… you nearly died.”
“I know. That was a lot more than I expected. A lot more. That Null Zone…” Alex shook himself, “not something I want a repeat of.”
Alex started walking, the Site was highlighted on his HUD and the smell of a recent battle involving a lot of fire and blood was a good waypoint.
“No Corpse Acid?”
“He's been a little busy.”
“I'll allow it. How are his injuries?”
“You didn't… of course not. He's recovering. He isn't used to… all this.”
“All this?”
“Worrying about dying. Back on his Earth he’s a scholar and assassin. The first doesn’t typically come with many life and death situations, the second, he’s good, so he usualoly does what he needs to without being detected. This’ll help, but he won’t take to it straight away.”
“Why did I?”
The professor paused slightly, if she’d been corporeal it would’ve looked like she missed a step.
“You’re broken.”
“As easy as that?”
“Being broken isn’t easy, but yes, sadly this was easy for you. Minimal people, an outlet for your anger and survivor’s guilt. You took to this easily. There were a few moments… that mage, and well, any Maddy moment. But you survived.”
“I always survive. That’s part of the problem.”
“Alex Till! You surviving is never a problem. Never a mistake! It is never, never an accident. You’re meant to be alive, why, why, I don’t think anyone can answer that. But you’re meant to be. Stop blaming yourself!”
Alex walked on, his steps being more and more assured the further he went.
“This is a long stone’s throw. New Ben’s been hiding some amazing upper body strength.”
“Stone’s throw? That’s how far New Ben told you the Site was? You can see it in your HUD. We’re walking in the wrong direction… I thought you were just venting.”
Alex jerked to a halt and looked off to the side. Sure enough the Site that he had already seen on his HUD and could smell hadn’t moved, he’d just lost focus.
“That’s a little concerning.”
The professor just shrugged and changed direction forcing Alex to speed up.
“Do your thing so we can move on. We’ve been here long enough. I keep feeling we’re being watched, that the Kyrn or something worse is just outside the range of my Pulse.”
Alex nodded as he looked at the broken, bloody and burnt Kyrn bodies.
“I know what you mean. Something is coming.”
The professor started to laugh causing Alex to turn and look at her.
“I’m sorry.” She raised one hand to cover her mouth and the other to wave him away. “Something is coming, I’m all dark and foreboding. I think I’m Batman.”
“I… I don’t think I’m Batman. Surely I’m more of a Ghost Rider?”
The professor looked off to the side, presumably deep in thought.
“True. I just don’t see it. Sure you have the chains and the fire… but, it just doesn’t work, he made a deal and has demonic energy. Plus he has a motorbike. You’d be dead if you needed to ride one.”
Alex laughed and nodded.
“Do you remember when we had to use them?”
“I don’t know what was worse, your crash or Maddy’s anger. You really screwed up that time.”
Alex smiled and a tear slid down his cheek before it evaporated due to his inner heat.
“Anyway, let’s get this done.”
Contested Archaeology Site Located
Quest - Earth 0 | Incan Outpost Archaeology Site
Find or recover all of Historical Significance at the Site
Bonus Archaeology Quest
Quest - Earth 0 | Incan Battle Site Archaeology Site
Find or recover all of Historical Significance at the Site
This quest is only accessible due to the proximity of an Adventurer/Archaeologist who has completed previous parts of The Quest
This area contains the site where an Incan Scouting party initially made camp after evading their Onix Ttono enemies. This is the first Outpost on the Colorado and contains two shrines, one dedicated to Mama Qucha and the other to Viracocha
Charge Viracocha’s Shrine
0/1
Activate Mama Qucha’s Shrine
0/1
Site Accessible - Yes
The Quest:
Recover all 11 pieces of Viracocha's Regalia of Creation
(9/11)
Alex walked towards the entrance to Viracocha’s Shrine.
“Oh, Till?”
“Yes?”
“Put some clothes on will you? I know we’re out of the city, but this nudist thing, it’s a bit much.”
Alex looked down and froze, then pulled his gear from their Inventory and waved over his shoulder.