The three of them looked over what was left of Vendu for several minutes as the implications of the quest they had received settled in their minds. The anchor had exploded into a sphere of dark purple destruction and only with Leo’s help did they all manage to make it out.
Quest Received: Abyss Infiltration
A demon from the Abyssal Horizon has infiltrated your world and soon more will come. Slay the demon and prevent the destruction of your world.
Slay Sanguine Reaver 0/1
Bonus Objective: Abyssal Anchors
An Abyssal Anchor has been detected in your area if left intact its presence will accelerate the arrival of the hordes.
Destroy Abyssal Anchor 1/3
Reward: Title, Rare Chest
Quests were not common and quests directly from the system were even less so. Getting one should have excited and honored them but instead, all they felt was grief and worry. Dalen had seen enough of those bloody demons but it appeared he would be seeing a lot more of them if they didn't do something about these anchors.
“How did a demon even get here? Surely it couldn’t have traveled all the way from the Ilkari Mountains,” Dalen asked. Finally turning away from the crater that was once Vendu.
Melisia shook her head, “You’re right. That is unlikely even with the time we spent recovering after the Fractured Path. Perhaps it somehow made it through from a different crossing on the Fractured Path or maybe even our very same crossing.”
Dalen didn’t like the sound of either of those options, “Do you think the order’s scouts simply missed catching a ride past us?”
“Doubtful, I don’t believe whatever did this,” Leo waved his hand towards Vendu, “Would have simply snuck by us. It would have killed us all,” Leo said grimly.
“The people here were not weak by any means. Many were even in the seventies and still, it appears they barely got the chance to fight back. It was a slaughter,” Leo focused on the two of them,” We were helpless after the Fractured Path. It would have been easy. No, it must have found another way.”
Yep, Dalen hated it. He sighed and turned back to the destroyed village. There was nothing left, not even any bodies left to bury.
“Well, there is nothing we can do for these people now. We should keep moving but if we find anyone on the road we should warn them. I don’t think the quest rewards are worth risking a demon horde getting free reign in our world.”
The others agreed so they tried to shake off the dread over what they had seen and continued towards Ilavania.
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Hurius scowled as he threw a large chunk of roofing from his shoulders and climbed out of the ruined Lesta Manor. The screams and groans of wounded soldiers were muffled by the layers of stone and timber.
The corrupted fools were willing to destroy themselves just to prevent him from capturing the girl. He honestly cared little for acquiring the Freak’s sister and likely would have simply killed her anyway. They only needed one.
Ignoring the wounded men Hurius returned to where he had left Darian Lesta. The man was lying on the ground with blood trickling from his nose and ears while one of the guards stood over him.
[Darian Lesta | Miner 42 | Human]
“That man better stay living, soldier, “ Hurius pointed at the other guard who was staring in surprise at the sudden destruction of the manor,” You. Report this to Arch-Duke, ensure to tell him of the obvious cultist activity happening within his own city’s walls.”
The guard nodded and without a word left to make his report. Hurius turned back to the manor and sneered at the near-constant cries for help from his lessers. If they needed help in saving themselves they were not worthy of following him.
A dull golden glow flashed across the debris burying his men and suddenly most of the cries for help ended. Soon several empowered soldiers started to make it through the rubble, as they broke through from beneath.
They gathered into a defensive formation around a small breach they had made and soon a wounded but still-standing Julin climbed out from beneath the shattered manor. The golden glow soon vanished and the men immediately began to look pale and fatigued.
“A useful dog indeed…”
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The journey to Ilavania became quite monotonous after leaving what remained of Vendu since they could now follow the road instead of moving through the dense jungle. It gave them all more time to worry about that gods damned quest.
If the Sanguine Reaver had been through Vendu could it also have attacked Ilavania? The place wasn’t a huge settlement from what Jaliete had told them but it was certainly larger than Vendu. Dalen hoped that meant they would be safe. But the bonus objective for the quest said there were at least two more anchors somewhere.
So did that mean there was more than one demon capable of making the anchors? Or was it really that powerful? Dalen wasn’t sure which he liked less. Either way, when they reached Ilavania they would warn the leadership there and find Elandria as planned. She may even be able to help locate the anchors considering her specialization.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
That of course is when Leo hissed and called them to a stop, “Gods, more smoke up ahead. Not as much as last time though.”
They didn’t bother discussing it and simply accelerated as best they could while Dalen and Melisia chugged stamina potions as they ran. Leo was right about the smoke there was far less of it this time and as they got closer Leo called for them to slow down.
“It looks like a camp,” Leo said. Clearly relieved that they weren’t about to walk into another grotesque display,” Let us hope they are empire soldiers.”
“Nodded. It is unlikely we would find any other forces that large here. But he should tread carefully. If the gods are truly against us their followers may be aware of what we are trying to do.
Quotz and Dhoerin have not revoked our blessings but it does not mean they are aligned with us,” Melisia said
“Well, I doubt we will see any Quotz followers out here at least. Aren’t most of the people here Earae and Uton worshippers?”
They were out of the densest parts of the Serpent’s Abode and had fully entered The Kingdom of Sceleti. Dalen knew nothing about the kingdom apart from that it was part of The Van’dir Empire. The kingdom was huge but judging by the map had to be sparsely populated since the kingdom’s capital wasn’t even marked on it.
“You are right but Uton followers may not be thrilled with us searching for their ex-prophet,” Melisia replied.
They continued along the road until they got a clearer view of the camp. They had hoped to avoid being noticed at least until they could identify the camp but the moment they got a clear view Leo frowned, “A lookout has spotted us already. Definitely better trained than Hurius’s camp.”
“Welp, guess there's no point sneaking around now. Who are they?” Dalen asked.
“Sceleti soldiers. They have all the markings of the empire but their colors are green and black,” Leo responded,” Don’t do anything stupid. They will likely have a lot of questions for us.”
They continued their approach. Dalen wanted to pat his bomb pouch to make sure he had enough but frowned when he realized who he would be using them on.
After a few moments, a squad of twelve jogged out to meet them. These were all wearing light leather armor with green and black tabards overtop. None of them seemed affected by the heat which annoyed him for some reason.
Dalen Identified the man leading the squad.
[Kulan Tenzan | Serpent Spear 75 | Half-Elf]
The others were a mix of Fighters and Spearmen and were all around level fifty to sixty. They were all armed with long-bladed spears.
As the Sceleti soldiers got closer Leo raised his hand in greeting. Kulan planted his spear into the ground and the men behind him stopped,” Who are you, and from where do you hail?”
“I am Leo Brightwing of The Seventh Tower, behind me is Lady Melisia Tanaruhn of The Seventh Tower and Dalen Kreet of Farninghold,” Leo replied. Dalen was happy to let the man take the lead.
“I am Lieutenant Tenzan. You have traveled far and the alchemist even further. You walk the road from Vendu. Did you pass through the village on your travels?”
Leo nodded gravely, “Yes. The village has been destroyed along with everyone in it. We were on our way to report our findings in Ilavania.”
Leo proceeded to tell the man everything they had learned about the fate of Vendu. The soldiers went from shocked to disbelief and back again several times throughout.
Kulan visibly paled,” If what you say is true you must speak with the captain. Please come with us.”
The squad of soldiers spread out around them and guided them into the Sceleti camp. Along the way, Dalen noticed that over half of the soldiers were half-elves, and as they entered the camp he noticed that percentage increased significantly. The camp’s soldiers seemed to be about three-quarters half-elf and the remainder was mixed between humans and elves.
There were about a hundred soldiers present in the camp by Dalen’s estimation and their levels were all around the same as the Kulan’s squad. Not as large as Hurius’s camp or even Jaliete’s but still more than Dalen liked.
Kulan led them to the center of the camp where they found a tall man in the same simple leather armor but with long white hair that clashed with the colors of his tabard. They were quite a ways back from the man but he was pacing back and forth clearly agitated.
Kulan paused and turned to them,” I apologize Captain Elken is currently speaking with another. Please wait here.”
The Lieutenant continued to stand behind the captain and Dalen looked around to see who the man was arguing with. A man in full imperial plate mail and a gold and white tarbard. His head was shaven and his face was covered in brutal scars that turned the man's appearance from handsome to brutally ugly. One of his eyes was milky white but he could clearly see well enough anyway since when he turned his head and noticed the three of them his irritated expression became a wide grin.
“Uh, I don’t think that look means he has our best interests at heart,” Dalen muttered. It was a valiant attempt at a whisper but he knew it wouldn’t matter with every guard around him being over level fifty.
Leo frowned,” I agree,” he turned to one of the guards,” Why is a Paladin of Dhinir here?”
The guard's expression twisted into a grimace,” I shouldn’t tell you but the guy’s an arsehole. Apparently the prophet over in Ilavania has received word about some group of cultists,” he shrugged, “ He has kept us here for days when we were supposed to be performing our normal patrol by Vendu. The captain would normally tell the prick to shove it but one does not anger a paladin lightly.”
Leo nodded,” Thank you. Your captain is right.”
Dalen didn’t need Leo to tell him to tread carefully. But the fact the man turned to eye him was practically the same as screaming at him.
The captain and paladin turned to Kulan and listened to what he had to say before the captain nodded and looked toward the three of them. The guards then brought them forward and Kulan introduced them.
Dalen Identified the captain and gulped as he saw the man’s class and level.
[Elias Elken | Bladesinger 108 | Elf]
The man’s face was grim, “Is what you say true?”
Leo did the talking and Dalen nodded along but he wasn’t really paying attention instead focusing on the result of his next Identify.
[Servat Bain | Paladin of Dhinir 120 | Human]