The dwarves immediately halted their celebration, taking a collective step back from the loud rumble of the Alpha’s growl.
“Reform the line!” Glade yelled, stepping up to where he and the others had held off the first attack.
Not a soul moved.
Glade turned around, the command to stand and fight for their freedom dying on his lips.
Gone was the hardened resolve and tough as nails grit that had been prevalent moments earlier in the eyes of these courageous dwarves. In its place, Glade saw the weeks, if not months, of outright abuse reflected in each and every one of their gazes. A fear so palpable, even Bragden had unknowingly taken a step back.
In that moment, Glade realized they were never going to be able to hold their position. Not like this.
“Fall back to the other tunnel!” Glade cried, his mind already working overtime on how he could salvage the situation. Running was far from ideal, but it was either that or wait for the Alpha and the rest of the slavers to slaughter them in the open.
No one needed to be told twice, a few even dropping their weapons as they ran like the very devil itself was after them.
As a group, they sprinted to the entrance where Krazzik and the remaining dwarves were anxiously working to carve through the tunnel walls. As soon as they made it, he, Bragden, Riya, and Kedryn turned around, ushering in the lagging dwarves.
Just in time for the Alpha’s arrival.
A giant Gnoll ponderously entered the small cavern, stretching from its crouched stance until it reached its full height of nine feet of pure muscle. The massive creature was covered in hardened leather armor, its many buckles catching the flickering torch light within the cavern. Twin long swords of blue steel hung loosely at the slaver’s sides resembling little more than elongated knives in its massive, pawlike hands.
Over the years, Glade had learned to quickly assess potential threats in a variety of circumstances, finding the skill absolutely essential in his line of work. He took in everything from body language, dress, the way the Alpha scrutinized everything the room, and what he could only describe as killing intent.
Every instinct screamed he was facing an apex predator who could, and would, kill at the slightest provocation.
Several more Gnoll’s spread out behind the Alpha, who was looking around at the carnage at his feet. The low rumble emanating from the massive creature intensified, causing everyone around Glade to flinch.
“What is that thing?” Glade asked, wishing he had access to his identify skill.
Without a word, Kedryn passed him the stats.
Alpha Gnoll, Level 17. Alpha Gnolls are typically the most dominant of a Rake. To gain leadership, Alpha’s must prove themselves through battle, subduing all they wish to dominate. Most Alpha’s are practitioners of a Corporeal path, granting them the ability to strike fear into the hearts of those weaker than themselves.
Attunements: Corporeal ?%
Health: 210/210
Mana: 103/110
Stamina: 272/290
“How are you not succumbing to his skill?” Riya hissed.
Glade spared a glance at the elf, realizing for the first time that even Riya and Kedryn were trembling.
“Dddddebuff…” Kedryn’s voice quavered. “Fffear…”
Glade quickly re-read the information Kedryn passed him, specifically the last line about striking fear into the hearts of anything weaker than itself.
Sure, the beast was intimidating, but Glade wasn’t quaking in his boots like everyone else.
On a whim, he pulled up his most recent notification.
Warning! You are being afflicted with Snarling Fear, a Corporeal skill that induces fear in the hearts of all living creatures.
Note: As long as you have existing willpower points that meet, or exceed, the tier of skill that induces panic, fear, charm, or confusion, you will passively resist any attempt directed at you.
Tier level of Snarling Fear: 2. Willpower points remaining: 2/14.
Beset with a moment of confusion about how he had two additional willpower points, Glade remembered his recent increase in wisdom and other attributes by several points, effectively increasing his willpower average. Meaning the passive part of his Will ability was just enough to counter the effects of the Alpha’s fear inducing skill.
Kedryn would likely review all of his notifications in detail later and plague both him and Riya with questions on skill tiers and passive abilities. Surprisingly, Glade was also interested. Of course, they would have to survive the next few minutes.
Missing his sidearm more than ever, Glade ran through his options that could possibly change their current fate, which was looking more and more like they would either be killed or enslaved.
Out of the corner of his eye, Bragden tried to raise his loaded crossbow to his shoulder, the fear debuff undermining the dwarf’s desire to fight back.
“Good man,” he whispered, snatching the crossbow from the dwarf’s outstretched hands. It took him a moment to aim the contraption, but he lined up his shot and fired.
The bolt rocketed from the crossbow with a loud clap, sailing across the space in the blink of an eye.
The Alpha, who was still surveying the battle sight, casually leaned to one side, allowing the bolt to pass by his head harmlessly.
The monster hadn’t even looked his way.
“Slaves should know their place,” the Gnoll rumbled in broken Dwarfen, finally turning its gaze toward Glade and others.
“You have cost me much,” it growled, settling its gaze on them. “Both in honor and in gold. While I care not for the corrupted one, I was charged with keeping him alive. Now I will have to pay with one of my rebirths!”
The last words came out more as a snarl, the anger projecting from the Alpha so intense, Glade thought he would have attacked then and there.
Without warning, a series of flashes sprang into existence behind the Alpha. Three more Gnolls appeared out of nowhere, each dressed in homespun white clothes and emitting low growls, their hackles raised.
One bark from the Alpha brought them to heel, the larger group quickly falling in behind the massive Gnoll.
“Figures they would start rebirthing ‘bout now,” Bragden grumbled, despair bleeding through his normally gruff voice. “I swear, the Eight have it in for me.”
“But before I pay,” the Alpha’s growl deepened, its lips pulled back to reveal its sharp canines. “You will compensate me for every loss you have cost me, starting with the female elf. Yes, I smell her…”
“You know something?” Glade interrupted, letting his own frustration bleed through his normally collected voice. “I’m getting really tired of this stupid, backwards, imbecilic little planet of yours,” he said, handing Bragden back his crossbow as he kicked up the spear he had let fall to the ground back into his waiting hand. “The answer is no. No, you are not going to be paid back whatever idiotic compensation you think you are owed. No, you are not going to recoup your slaves. And as for Harnek the Stupid, he was torturing a harmless boy for the fun of it. Of course, we stepped in to stop him! Dogs like that need to be put down! So, screw you and whatever else you think you’re owed!”
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
As he finished, Glade forced his legs, hips, and back to shift for better balance as he brought every memory of his high school and collegiate javelin training to bear. He tightened his muscles as he cocked his arm back and threw with everything he had, the spear rocketing forward with every once of thrust he could muster.
The Alpha’s swords blurred, catching the spear midflight between the Gnoll’s blades with an ease so profound that it looked as if the creature had practiced that very act hundreds of times. Not only did he catch the spear, the Gnoll batted it one way and then the other, controlling the momentum and direction of the spear until he handed it off to a newly rebirthed Gnoll standing close by.
“You were saying…” the Alpha began, but Glade interrupted him again.
“Kedryn? Your turn,” he said, confirming his choice on his status screen to will the remainder of his willpower points to free the Corporal from the Alpha’s fear ability.
Immediately, an intense fear assaulted Glade’s senses, scraping at every insecurity, nightmare, and horrid experience he ever had and shoving them to the forefront of his mind. It took every ounce of internal fortitude he had to keep his composure.
“With pleasure,” Kedryn said, his stutter vanishing along with his debuff.
A ball of fire sprang into existence in the Corporal’s hands.
The Alpha paused its advance, its eyes growing wide.
“Pyro!” It roared at the same time Kedryn sent the ball of fire rocketing toward the massive Gnoll.
In an explosion of light and flame, the fire splashed across the Alpha’s face, spreading around the Gnoll’s flesh as if the fire itself were a living thing.
Glade’s induced panic vanished in an instant.
“Quick, bring up the crossbows!” He cried, eyeing the Gnoll’s who were either diving for cover or rushing to help their leader.
A roar of pain escaped the Alpha’s lungs as he brought his twin blades up, the roar changing to some unintelligible cry that caused matching gemstones embedded in each of the hilts to flash a dark blue.
That’s when the massive Gnoll did something truly unexpected. It slapped the flat of one blade along its burning head while holding out the other sword out at a random angle.
In less time than it took to blink, the sword next to the Alpha’s head began siphoning away Kedryn’s hungry flames, channeling it down to the blue gemstone. Simultaneously, the fire shot out of the other sword like a small flame thrower, spitting the redirected magic away from his crisped head.
“He has a mana transference device!” Riya yelled. While Glade didn’t exactly know what that meant, he got the gist of the items capabilities as he witnessed the Alpha struggle to save its own life.
“I’m running out of mana!” Kedryn cried, his voice strained as he fought to keep the flames going. “He’s draining it faster than I can dish out!”
“Got it covered!” Glade said, raising a crossbow that had been thrust into his waiting hands. He took careful aim and fired, striking the Alpha’s chest.
The Gnoll didn’t even flinch as the bolt slammed into the armor. Either the monster had better protection than he had expected, or his crossbow wasn’t powerful enough. Likely a mixture of both. Either that or the Alpha hadn’t even noticed the damage, which made Glade shudder to even think about.
“Start targeting the other Gnolls!” he cried, grabbing another crossbow from someone behind him. This time he took careful aim, targeting the hand holding the blade closest to its head. If they were going to win, they needed to remove the blade siphoning Kedryn’s magic.
“ARGHHHH!” Kedryn cried, dropping his slime catcher to the ground as he grasped the sides of his head. At the same time, the fire wrapping around the Alpha winking out.
Glade shifted his target to the Gnoll’s head, knowing that if Kedryn couldn’t kill it with his magic, they had very little left in their arsenal that could take the Alpha down.
Glade pulled the trigger, the bolt flying from his crossbow with a snap.
Without even looking, the Alpha’s twirled its blades in a complicated pattern, knocking the bolt out of the air.
Despair finally began worming its way through Glade’s gut as realization set in.
They weren’t going to win.
The Alpha turned its intense gaze toward them, his head a mess of burnt flesh and fur, and roared so loud that the walls trembled.
Glade pulled his knives, taking a ready stance. If death came, he would meet it head on.
A flicker of movement along the ceiling caused him to look up.
“Oh,” he said, relaxing his stance. “I forgot about those.”
The Alpha paused, following Glade’s gaze to the point above its head.
Dozens of blue crystalline spiders of varying sizes were in the process of lowering themselves onto the unsuspecting group of slavers.
A Gnoll further back screamed, drawing everyone’s attention. The Beta, who was still cradling an arm, was frantically swiping at a swarm of spiders crawling over him. In moments, the slaver quieted, then slumped over, silken threads already visible as the swarm began wrapping their webbing around the unfortunate creature.
The Alpha yelled something unintelligible, whipping his blades into a fury of death as he danced between the descending spiders and pushed toward the entrance.
“They’re trying to escape!” Riya called out.
“Aye lass, but we can’t get through that,” Bragden gestured to the army of spiders moving toward them. “How are we going to escape?”
In that moment of silent acceptance a crash of stone, followed by a billowing cloud of dust, rolled over them from behind.
“We’re through!” Krazzik’s voice boomed over the cacophony.
Glade didn’t need any further encouragement.
“Move!” He yelled, shoving Bragden and the others toward their only chance at living.
“The Mother be smilin on us, boys!” Bragden cried, turning toward the tunnel. “Ye heard the man. MOVE!”
The group didn’t hesitate. As one, they turned and fled up the tunnel.
Glade spared a glance behind him, taking in the scene with a mixture of awe and terror.
Most of the Gnoll’s had fallen to the ground, spiders the size of baseballs wrapping their day’s catch in the shimmery blue threads of webbing. The only figure he could still see free of the eight legged creatures was the Alpha, the light from the torches glinting off the swirling blades as the large Gnoll wove between the curtains of spiders like a bird flying through the trees. Each swing of his blade took down a spider as he danced to a rhythm that had neither beginning nor end. Just motion. A maelstrom of death turned into living art.
For the first time since his arrival on Veil, Glade felt true fear, but also a profound sense of relief. Glade was good, but nowhere near the level of ability the Alpha openly displayed as it continued its dance as if dodging drops of rain, weaving in and out of the arachnid assault with grace and precision.
“Whoa,” Kedryn said, just as mesmerized as Glade.
“Move yer slag filled britches!” Bragden yelled, pulling them out of their trance. “Them spiders may be a blessing from the Mother, but they’ll just as soon eat you if given half the chance!”
Glade didn’t argue. No matter how much he wanted to witness the incredible display of marital skill, the last thing he wanted was to experience death by spiders.
Spell broken, they followed the bald dwarf up the tunnel as fast as their legs would carry them.
Glancing behind them, Glade watched as astral spiders entered the tunnel, dropping to the ground where they had just been standing.
“Run faster!” he cried.
They ate up the distance quickly, outpacing the spiders as they arrived at the dwarf sized hole in the wall.
Glade felt a blast of freezing cold air blowing through the newly excavated tunnel as he watched dwarves move in near synchronous motion as they literally threw everything and everyone through the small opening.
“We be having company right soon!” Bragden yelled.
“We need three more minutes!” Krazzik yelled right back.
“Ye got one, maybe two minutes afore the army o’ spiders arrive!” Bragden countered.
“Spiders?” Krazzik asked, his face visibly paling. He then turned to the group of dwarves and yelled at the top of his lungs, “Leave the slaggin weapons behind! Prioritize the clothing, food, and mining equipment!”
“How ‘bout prioritizin the people first!” Bragden growled, the two quickly devolving into a shouting match as everyone else moved items and people through the small hole in the wall.
Glade grabbed Kedryn’s shoulder.
“Can you cover us with a bit of fire?” he asked, watching carefully for any movement as he tried to catch his breath.
“I can… try…” the Kid wheezed, doing his best to breathe.
They both stood facing the tunnel, the only sounds coming from the dwarves’ slinging items and people through the opening while Krazzik and Bragden continued to argue.
The first visible blue spider turned the corner, easily the size of a small dog.
“We’re out of time,” Glade cried as Kedryn shot a small streak of flame, incinerating the spider.
The two dwarves stopped their arguing as more spiders appeared from around the corner.
“By the Mother!” Krazzik cried as Kedryn fired more needles of fire at the oncoming hoard. “Quick, everyone drop what yer carryin and get through the blasted hole! Now!”
The last of the dwarves still on their side dropped whatever they were carrying and darted through the opening.
“Time to go Kid!” Glade said, grabbing Kedryn arms.
The Corporal didn’t answer as he continued to launch small needles of fire from his outstretched hands.
“Kedryn!” He yelled in the Kid’s ear to no avail. Instead, the Corporal sagged first to one knee, and then the other, his hand still outstretched as it kept on launching small darts of flame.
Grumbling, Glade grabbed the Kid and threw him over his shoulder, making sure to avoid the spurts of flame. As he moved to the entrance, he felt Kedryn finally collapse, utterly exhausted.
“Bragden! Krazzik! Need your help!” he yelled as he ran toward the narrow opening.
Krazzik’s head appeared on the other side.
“I got him!” the dwarf chief yelled, grabbing Kedryn as soon as Glade lowered him down, dragging him through the small opening.
Glade turned around, verifying everyone had gotten through.
A voice echoed through the tunnel, stopping Glade’s heart.
“Bapa?”
There, sitting not fifteen feet away from him sat Dabbin, hidden from view by the pack he was holding. More specifically, Glade's pack.
“Bapa?” The boy said again, poking his head out from behind the large bag.
Cursing his bad luck, Glade sprinted to the boy, snatched him and the bag up, and then ran back to the entrance, shoving them both through.
Glade followed, scraping his arms and knees as he clawed his way through the small opening, falling to the frozen ground on the other side.
“They be through!” Krazzik called as hands grabbed both Dabbin and Glade, pulling them both out of the way.
“One more time boys! BRING THE HAMMER!”
“STORM THE WALLS!” went up the cry, glowing pickaxes slamming above the opening Glade had just come through. An ear-splitting crack thundered down the tunnel as a wave of rock and dust enveloped them all.