Morthrus was afraid for the first time in her life. She hid under the covers in her bed, shaking. “Who…who the FUCK was that! That wasn’t a normal human. He cheated! That has to be it, another clan cheated! Gave him power to defeat me. To make a mockery of me!”
She peeked out of her covers, to be sure nobody else was in the room. She was desperate. In this situation there was only one thing to do. She quickly dashed under her bed and felt around for a small box she kept there. It was pure black, and with a drop of her blood, she opened it.
Inside was a small gemstone that was red in color. She heldit and focused on it, desperately praying it worked
An echoing voice came from it, “Morthrus? What happened? I didn’t expect you to contact us so soon.”
“HELP ME! THESE HUMANS ARE MONSTERS! THIS ISN’T ANYTHIGN NORMAL, I WAS TRICKED, CHEATED, AND ABOVE ALL ALMOST KILLED!”
“Daughter hush, you are embarssing yourself.”
Morthrus gritted her teeth, “You don’t understand! Let me come back. Give me another try. Almost everyone is dead. This is, this isn’t anything how you described. Please I’m begging you!”
Silence filled the air for several moments. “Are you sure you want to go down this route? I’ll give you a second chance and pretend I didn’t hear that. A Ky’ does not admit defeat. If you come back, you won’t die, but you will never have power again.”
“That’s not fair! They cheated! The System Cheated!”
“Since when did I ever say anything was fair? The System is beyond fairness, you know the history. It was built to ensure it’s creators were always in charge, just like we aim to be. If you can’t handle a weak planet like that, how do you expect to rule the clan one day?”
She rolled her eyes, “You never listen to me. Fuck you! I’m coming home, and trying again next time.”
Before she could put the gem back in the box a pressure came from it. Her hand was stuck, it could not let go.
“You dare…DARE talk back to me? I have tolerated your foolery for too long it seems.”
“Father, please no!” She pleaded. Yet her pleas fell on deaf ears. Throughout the rest of the Dungeon, a blood curdling scream echoed. A sound none of them will ever forget.
----------------------------------------
Everyone else near Mathew had to stop their advancements suddenly. One moment they were forced to attack this human by a force they couldn’t fight against, then suddenly a wall appeared in front of that force. It was just a second, but it was enough to stop the order from their General.
Left and right people looked down at their guns then back at General Payne. There were those who realized the Infernal enemy started to run toward the portal as well. Cheers of victory echoed across the field along with bullets and magical attacks maiming or slaying the few stragglers.
Yet to Leo, they were but whispers compared to his cries of pain. He defeated Pitrudix, the power from his God leaving him drained. He picked up the body of Madison and walked back to the camp. Each step caused excruciating pain, but he ignored it all. He gave a single glance toward Mathew. He saw him fall to his hands and knees, but was very alive.
He blinked the tears away and continued his slow walk. Right now, he had someone more important to take care of than Mathew. He wasn’t dead. He too felt the wall of energy. Nothing could kill Mathew that easily. Nor himself.
“Mathew better rest up fast. We are not done here.” Leo thought to himself.
The others in the group that fought off Pittrux glanced between Leo, Mathew, and the direction of the camp. They all went different ways with both Henderson and Brown going toward Mathew.
Jeffrey stood over Mathew’s body and growled, but once Brown casted a healing spell directed at Mathew, the wolf stepped to the side, watching closely to protect Mathew. Even the lone wisp seemed to either stand guard, or try to offer it’s light in aid to the two.
Henderson pulled out her sword and was about to finish off the annoying Imp but paused for a moment. There was a glint of gray on the Imps side, a shape she couldn’t reconigze. She blinked once and could feel something akin to the way she felt from Mathew. It was a brief moment, yet it was enough to encourage her to lower her blade.
“Is he going to live?” She asked Brown.
Mathew gasped as the magic flowed through him from Brown. “I’m not dead yet.” He wheezed.
“He’s not that bad off.” Brown admitted. “Yet it’s not the physical wounds I’m worried about. Your eye doesn’t turn to goop from standing still. Something you did, that power. Just what did you do, Mathew?”
“I fucking won is what.” Mathew chuckled twice then turned into coughs and blood came out.
Henderson reached down and grabbed the unconscious imp by an arm, carrying like a doll. “I’m taking this fucker prisoner. We can interigate him for information.”
“No, just wait. I’ll explain it later. He’s like Jeffrey now.” Mathew sputtered. “Fuck my head hurts.” Mathew tried to stand up, but a wave of dizziness overtook him. “Just…give me a minute.”
Brown gave Henderson a worried look. He was worried about Mathew, as well as several other things. “Just what in the hell happened to him that we didn’t see?”
On the other side of the battle field General Payne sat up with disappointment smeared over his face. He was bleeding out and severely confused.. “Someone get me a fucking medic!” he shouted as he pulled out a healing pill of his own and swallowed it instantly.
A random man walked up, someone who joined the military through the contracts written by Mathew. He threw his gun at the General's feet. “What did you do to me?!”
Payne looked up but sneered, “What do you mean ‘do to you’? I gave a damned order, and you all failed to follow it! You better hope Mathew is dead, or I’m going to have all of you tied up and shot on the grounds of treason!” He glanced toward the blue robbed body on the ground, but saw him moving. He frowned with dssapointment, yet the pain was too much. “Fucker is strong as shit. There is no way that’s from his stats alone. That staff, just what is it that made that attack more powerful than my own!”
His personal guards hesitantly started to help him with simple first aid, none of those who were living had any healing spells nor the proper skills.
“No, you did something else.” The random stranger said. “I felt it. I couldn’t stop myself from aiming at Mathew. Why did you want him dead?”
“We are supposed to be fighting those devils, not each other!” Another voice, this time a woman.
Payne waved an arm, “Get them away from me. I’m not going to talk to some random asshat.”
Spit flew and hit Payne on the cheek. Several other glares were aimed at him, with only a couple more coming to actually check on him. Shouts of disgust and disappointment flew through the air.
“Did he really sell American secrets?”
“What contract was he talking about? Did he have one with that Mathew fellow?”
“Yea he mentioned something against his orders he couldn’t come here? But he was here to help us right? He stopped the Imps from taking the Hearth Crystal. So why did he want him dead?”
“Is he even the real General? Can those red aliens use illusions?”
“I didn’t vote for him, I rather have someone who ran up to fight and protect what’s best for everyone than someone who attacked that guy. I hope that Mathew guy is okay.”
More people either sought out medical attention or helped gather up supplies. A small group formed around General Payne, those that seemed to still trust him. In total around thirty four people stood ready.
“Sir, want us to kill Mathew still?” One asked.
Payne looked up but shook his head, “No, we are getting out of here. We can leave these fools to their own doom. Let Mathew hang himself on the rope he just placed around his own neck. Once he fucks things up more, this place will fall apart. We are moving to the back up place.”
Two men helped pick up Payne and carried him to one of the trucks. Others watched with their weapons at the ready. Ensuring the tratiours man truly left. Half the working vehicles soon drove away, everyone slightly worried still for more Infernals that could be attacking.
Zack watched with red eyes. He had origionally followed Leo to the medical tents, but a glaring look from the ex-lawyer was enough to stop him. He sat down and started to cry. He wanted to help, to somehow make it up to Leo and to Madison. He was too slow. His entire job was to ensure nobody died, but he couldn’t do that.
The past twenty minutes were chaotic to him. First there was the God that showed up to him. He was at first begging with the God to save Madison. Pleading that he would serve the god till the end of time, sacrifices, even making a cult. None of it mattered. He was told nothing could be done.
Zack didn’t cry then, instead he heard the God out. He admitted he wasn’t a God like the others, not even officially acquiring the title of such, just the rank. He was simply a force of the total conviction of others like Zack. Smiths, warriors, gardeners, and many more.
He offered a blessing to Zack, who in turn accepted it and readied himself for the battle. It wouldn’t help him here and now, but moving forward it would. He wouldn’t let anyone else die.
As soon as time started again, Leo bursted into a blazing glow of power. Even he took a step back. It was as if all those fictional stories he enjoyed came true for that man. The loss of one you cared for brought things out of people. A hidden reserve of power. Yet, in his eyes wasn’t regret, anger, or even sorrow. It was darkness.
It was a quick battle, Leo finished off Pittrux alone. As soon as it was over, Leo went to run toward Madison but then guns started to fire. A quick glance saw Mathew chasing after the Hearth Crystal.
Zack was confused, he thought Mathew couldn’t be here. The crystal fell to the ground and a moment later a wave of heat and the taste of copper came over him. Mathew appeared in a different spot then things erupted into true chaos after that.
He tried to help however he could, but now nobody wanted him. Leo didn’t trust him, Henderson and Brown obviously went to help Mathew, but how could he help? A hand touched his shoulder and he flinched in panic.
Looking up he saw Damien with a worried face. “Hey big guy, are you okay?”
Zack wiped his face away and put on a smile. “Yea, I just really pushed myself and pulled something. Hurt a fuck ton so I needed to sit down.”
Damien’s face showed he didn’t quite believe Zack but did’t say anything at first. He glanced around and sat down next to his friend. “I think I hurt myself too, mind if I rest next to you? No clue what other kind of enemies are still here.”
Lindsey walked up to Henderson and Brown as they tended to Mathew. She saw bandages were being applied to the man. “What the hell just happened? What do we do about Madison? Fuck, what about the Infernals? How did-”
“Stop please.” Henderson said. She had a stern face, but her eyes held back something. “Right now we need to group everyone up and reclaim order. Lindsey, be a dear and get people to help us out along with a stretcher.”
Lindsey paused for a moment thinking things over and nodded, “I can do that, be back fast!” She ran off.
“I can still walk, you know.” Mathew complained
“Hush, you are in trouble as well. You and I are going to have a very long talk later. I don’t care if you are bleeding from your asshole, you are giving me answers.”
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Soon everyone was starting to group up around the battle camp. The wounded were being tended to, yet people were still confused. Just doing whatever seemed the most reasonable.
Once Mathew was escorted into the medical tent, she stood up ontop of the ruins of one of the special tanks and put her hands around her mouth. “EVERYONE STOP UNLESS YOU ARE AIDING SOMEONE WITH MEDICAL TREATMENT!”
Several heads turned toward her, and soon the order echoed out and a small group formed around her. “Listen up! I’m now the highest ranking official. We need to get things squared away. People need help, and at any moment more of those red bastards could come and attack. If you have medical experience or skills you are in that medical tent getting everyone's help. Those of you with scouting professions or want to volunteer are on guard duty. Everyone else stands by for further orders.”
Groups were soon clearing rubble and moving dead bodies. A semi decent guard was formed to keep a lookout for a sneak attack. One by one order was somwhat established. A small team went to acquire the Crystal and ferried it back to the tents.
Holly and Lucas walked up to Captain Henderson who shook her head. “What are you two doing here?”
“We came with Mathew. How is he?” Lucas asked.
“Alive, for now. What was the status of the base when you left?”
Holly winced and Lucas frowned. “Not good.” Holly said. “It was attacked as well. If not for Mathew and a few others, it would have been bad.”
Henderson cursed. “Fucking hell. Okay, Lucas, you head back, take a team with you and start getting things ready for everyone to return. We need trucks for the wounded. If they can walk, they do so.”
He nodded and headed off. “Holly, I need you with me. We need to establish order fast.”
The two women started to go about rounding up people and establishing a sense of order. Guards were posted up and the wounded were swiftly tended to.
Leo sat next to the body of Madison. He had no more tears left, all that remained was unending rage. He took this time to focus on his intentions. He wasn’t mad at the world, nor even himself. He was somewhat upset with Madison, but he couldn’t be mad at her. Not truly.
No, he was mad at The System. If not for it, people wouldn’t have died. Sure, people die everyday, but not like this. He had no clue how he would do it, but he would find whatever was behind all this and kill him, her, them, anyone and everyone.
Mathew talked about how small of a speck they were in the universe, yet even a spark could ignite a burning inferno. He looked down at his new weapon. Both his gun and axe had combined. It’s name was still ‘Lucky’, he could feel that much.
There was a sleeping energy inside the weapon. A final gift from Kur. Things started to make more sense for him after that conversation. Yet there were thousands more things he didn’t know. He would hound Mathew for answers. Payne was gone, so it was logical that his old friend won.
“No clue how he pulled it off, but he did it. Now for him to uphold his end of a promise.”
He peered across the tent to his only living friend, or so he hoped they still were. Mathew was sitting up and half his face was covered with bandages. Garcia was tending to him and apparently arguing about something.
Leo shook his head and looked at the still body of his dead friend. A moment later, a blue screen interrupted his view, and silence crossed over the entire camp.
Dungeon Conquored by Surrender
Morthrus of the Ky’ Clan has surrendered to you in battle.
Rewards:
Title: Dungeoneer II
Mana Core [Novice]
Koran’s Leaf
32,500 UC
Dungeoneer II: Gain +2 to all stats. Improves as you complete more Dungeons.
Leo blinked away at the screen and exhaustion overcame him. All the pent up aggression he held, ready to unleash on the rest of the Infernals just vanished. It was what held him up and now he emotionally fell.
Mathew on the other hand, had a different reaction. To his screen.
Dungeon Conquored by Surrender
Morthrus of the Ky’ Clan has surrendered to you in battle.
Rewards:
Dungeon Core [Beginner]
Title: Dungeoneer I
Upgrade to Hearth Crystal based on performance, claim it at your own Heart Crystal
Infernal Steel Ingots x100
Whip of Punishment
72,500 UC
Dungeoneer I: Gain +1 to all stats. Improves as you complete more Dungeons.
“Oh come on. She fucking ran away? Coward, she talked about such a big game, and she fled when I defeated her at something. Agnox is going to explain that one, or so help me.” He was too tired to properly be upset. Deep down he was honestly glad it was over. Payne ran away, the Infernals were now dealt with. He had claimed Agnox as his familiar for better or worse.
Yet, those were the immediate problems. He had other issues to deal with, primarily Doozkora. Payne was still a threat, but now their hands have been redrawn. Right now, he had people to convince to stay with him as leader. Truths to admit about, and more questions to get answered.
“Mathew if you dont’ sit still I can’t finish checking you.” Doctor Garcia said.
“Sorry.” He closed the menu and kept still as he scanned around the tent. People were joyus. The battle was over. They had won. Yet it felt hollow to Mathew. As if he didn’t truly win. Compared to the giant wolf he fought, this was something entirely different.
“Well Mathew, good news or bad news first?”
“Bad first as always please.”
“Bad news is you will fully recover quickly except for your eye. I give it a week before it can be used again. You are lucky some of it remained Brown to keep whole until I took over. We can mend broken and destroyed parts, but a fully removed one isn’t something we can do. At least not yet, I have a secret hope we can one day.”
“That’s the bad news? What’s the good news?”
She had a sinister smile on her face, “you are free to leave and help out. Also, I believe Captain Henderson want’s to talk to you.”
“Doctor, we both know that is not good news.” Mathew would glare, but it was hard to with bandages on his head.
Garcia just smiled. “I never said it was good news for you. Tell you what, I’ll buy you some time. Make up something, the least I can do for you.”
“Why is that?” Mathew asked curiously.
“I’m not a stupid old woman. I have had several younger medical students in my life. I know when they do something they didnt’ want to do. It’s a look in their eyes, or in your case, eye. You could have done things differently. You didn’t kill Payne, you somehow won the battle, and yet you didn’t do anything that cost someone their life at your own expense.”
Mathew scoffed, “You all were lucky is all. I would sacrifice half of you all to win a battle.”
“Sure you would.” She gave him a look that had doubt written all over it. “If it means anything, I still want to thank you. For everything. Don’t assume I’ll always be nice. I’m the one who can shove a catheter in you if I feel it needed. So don’t push your limits Matty.”
He was about to retort about the nickname he loathed, but she walked off slightly chuckling.
Mathew signed and leaned back in his cot. A greedy pull toward his menu came over him. “Well, I might as well take a gander at my other rewards while I still have the chance.”
Name: Mathew McGonald
Race: Human [Beginner]
Class: Summoner
Profession: Contract Scribe
Level: 20
Universal Currency: 263,771
Titles: Child of Axiom, Classy, Forerunner, Hearth Crystal Owner, Lawyer, Pack Leader, Soloist, Survivor II
Axioms:
Glint of Resistance [Novice]
Strength:
51
Vitality:
101
Dexterity:
81
Endurance:
73
Intelligence:
195
Wisdom:
198
Unallotted Stat Points: 6
Abilities
Share Sense | Novice 5
Universal Tongue | Unranked
Skills
Contest | Beginner 0
Knives | Beginner 6
Staves | Beginner 4
Rituals | Novice 2
Writing | Beginner 0
Spells
Mana Bolt | Beginner 5
Ritual of Enchantment: Increased Space | Novice 3
Summon Familiar: Agnox | Unranked
Summon Jeffrey | Novice 7
Summon Wispy & Whis | Beginner 6