Isaac The Drinker

How many died from the golems? Judging by the blood on their hands, probably five. My bones creaked with age, while I tilted the head of my staff a little further down to move faster. The gnomes had rallied behind their creations, far outnumbering the twenty men we had sent in. Five stone golems with tubes and pipes sticking out of their arms. All to make it look more like the surroundings of the warehouse. A deadly trap, with a couple more filtering out. Probably eight or ten in total given how big the warehouse itself was.

Gerald was distracted, throwing a few seeds at the gnomes, while rolling away from the golems. Really, he should just use a blow gun and dart to deliver them better. Still, the banner was crushed making this a proper battle. Only fifteen fighters from the Minotaur were still alive, about half wounded, and a couple badly wounded. At least they escaped with their lives. No one noticed my descent, and I saw my target. A golem raising both hands above it, while a man with a wounded leg tried to scramble away.

I jumped, off my cane, doing a back-flip to slow my descent while the cane itself smashed through the golems head. The bits of stone scattering as the gnomes turned to face me. I bit my cheek spitting small pellets of blood and shuffling backwards towards the man. The youth rushing to my side, to help pull me a little further behind the frozen golem. "This whole raid is going to shit!" He was panicked.

I took out my gourd, taking another drink. The blood in the gnomes turning into monster blood, but still holding onto my will. I only got three of them, and they were pretty pissed that I spat at them. I grinned, offering the gourd to, "Rodney was it? Todd? Rodger?"

The others kept on their fighting while I shuffled and recalled my staff. "It is Rodger, what do we do!?" He put his hand over his face.

He had the same blood type as me, so I patted him on the shoulder, "You stay near me, and we'll make it out of this alive. I'm going to need you to pick a spot and draw blood for me. You're extra blood for my next trick."

He looked behind me, "Uhh... watch out!"

The three gnomes I spat at, raised their weapons, just in time for the blood I gave them to reach their hearts. I waved a finger and they lost those hearts, and coughed up a little black blood as their lungs were shredded. They should have opened with magic, though I guess being a part of a warehouse guarded by golems meant they didn't have to fight much. "Don't interrupt sonny. Pick a spot, or I'll pick it for you. Stay close, and help me move, the leg wound from yesterday is still acting up."

Rodger just nodded, grabbing his dagger and cutting his bicep. "Like this?"

I nodded, "Good enough, now Rodger, what kind of magic can you do?" I turned to shout, "Bind the golems if you can, or flee into an alley! Most have a set area to guard, easier to take out gnomes one at a time!"

That was all the encouragement the young needed to sprint into the alleys, leaving the little legged monsters and lumbering golems behind. We had mobility on our side. Well most of us at least, I hobbled a little further from the golem that was slowly regrowing its head. Rodger following close behind, "Gerald said this was supposed to be an easy raid! Oh fuck! They got Clyde!"

I struck the top of his foot with the tip of my staff, "Answers first, grieve later! Unless you want to die!"

"Fuck man! I'm, I can use fire. Elementalist!" He hopped a little as we moved into the alley.

"Any dirt or stone users in this band?" A couple gnomes were following, but they were reluctant given we now had the advantage. I watched the rooftops, shouting, "Regroup!"

"We had two, but they died when those things started moving!" I rolled my eyes, since it seemed that Gerald didn't even bother picking positions for everyone.

We joined the small group of eight, making ten of us in total. The gnomes were likely preparing, and we couldn't afford to give them time Gerald looked at me, and held his head low. I took stock of the ones left, the wounded didn't really make it, so we still had people that could use magic, or at least swing a sword. "Let this be a lesson to all of you, going in without a plan will get you killed. Now form up based on magic. If you're not sure who else has what you have, then call it out. The more time we waste here, the more likely you are to die."

The eight men called out their magic, one of them even saying they had a talent that gave him immunity to being cut. Which didn't help if he was going to be crushed. We had two water users, an extra blood user, three fire users, and two wind users. I gave Gerald a disappointed look, knowing that this really wasn't the best choice for a raid. Though judging by how he was standing a little straighter, he planned on some of these people to die. I was going to need to have another talk with the boy, about not mixing ideals and his job.

"Cutty, you're in the front, jump in front of swords or spears and remember to roll with them." He was a wind user, so that would help.

"That's not my name..." The youth frowned a bit, while the others made fun of his nickname.

"I don't care, to take down a golem we need to find their heart. It could be a scroll, a totem, usually about the size of your fist." I grabbed Cutty, moving him ahead. "The golems can't fit into the alleys, but so we need to keep the enemy interested enough to not go back and set up inside." I turned to the water boys, "You lot, go get some damn water, you're next to useless without it. Don't even blame Gerald for something you should know." They moved off. I pointed to the blood man, "Keep everyone's wounds in check. Stop them from bleeding out, you're supporting from the rear, and letting us know if we're being flanked." He nodded quickly.

"Rodger here is with me, since our blood matches. You two light a fire on with the debris over there." I pointed to a corner, "Make sure you can carry it." Finally I looked at Gerald, "How many seeds did you plant? How many are on the golems?"

Gerald grinned, "Thrashing vines are ready now, with some spear shoots. I'm sorry you had to jump in."

I shook my head, "We'll talk after this is done, but never forget that the job comes first. If you can't handle that, then go home." Gerald stiffened, nodding as he understood the subtext. He had been too reckless, and jeopardized the raid. He could play it off by saying they weren't expecting this much push back, but that was a flimsy excuse right now. His only saving grace was the golems, and the low tiered fighters he brought along. All of these people were green.

"Understood, what do you need me to do?" Gerald kept his voice low, looking away.

"I need you to learn from this, and make sure your next raid is much better. Beyond that? I need you to focus and stay alive. We still have to get this done."

It only took a couple minutes, before everyone was in position and ready. We spread out between three alleys, gouts of flame spewing out towards the gnomes while they hid behind their golems. It appeared they had used their precious minutes to repair the things. The golems moved to form a wall to protect their creators. A tap on Gerald's shoulder and thrashing vines erupted to block the gnomes between their wall. Their gibbering speech laughing as we made a fort around them.

That laughter turned into screams as the spear shoots were picked up and moved through the thrashing vines to pierce the enemies. The golems themselves were unaware, but now we had more time to deal with them. We advanced forward, while I warned to not get too close. The golems held their position, defending their already dead gnomes from the gouts of fire. The water boys were told to toss their buckets onto the golems and feel for anything that wasn't rock. Their water seeped through the cracks, finding clay totems inside. Now that I knew where they were, I could take my cane and fire splinters into the stone. The cracked debris giving plenty of space for roots or vines to creep inside and crush.

The golems fell apart one after the other, unable to do anything beyond take simple orders. I was thankful they were not the high end kind, but the Fiend's Eye had other priorities. The group cheered until we heard clapping. The vampire from earlier was walking towards us. "Hold!" I held up a hand letting them know to wait. I narrowed my eyes at the masked figure, "Why are you out here in the open?"

He spread his arms, shrugging a little, "I know I said I wouldn't be involved, but I have terrible news. A pack of whisper wolves, and a couple fiends were released from their cell. The wolves will be here shortly, while a fiend will arrive a little later. I felt you would like to know."

I nodded, "Thank you for the aid, how many wolves are we talking about here?"

"Twenty, with a few red tips. They are being led by the fat hag, and we are not in a position to take her out. Best of luck to you however." The vampire turned and climbed back up the building.

Rodger paled, "What do we do?"

I spat at the ground, considering my options. The alleys would be great for the fiends, but were a poor choice for the wolves given their range. The vines could be pierced or pulled up easily, which meant we didn't have a good choice beyond holing up in the warehouse to hopefully take out the wolves then race into the alleys for the fiends. "Gerald, spread some thrashing vines by the alley entrances. Fire boys, ignite this wall here, but keep the fire itself low. We're going inside the building and dealing with whoever or whatever is left to hole up."

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

There were no words, only slight nods as the others did what I told them to do. I had wanted to prepare a bit more for anything left inside the building, but we simply didn't have the time. I grabbed Rodger and Cutty, as we headed inside. The warehouse itself was rather large, the first floor mainly covered in debris from the golems activating. Gore and pieces of people and gnome resting in different spots. At least the first floor was clear. I looked around, "Build a barricade from the stairs, we're not dealing with what's on the next floor. It's probably gnomes and homunculus, so let's deal with one issue at a time."

The two got to work, as I pulled the other wind user in to help. I walked outside, picking up the tattered banner, and hung it over the window. "Everyone inside!" I could hear the screams as other gangs stumbled upon our enemy. We moved inside, spreading out while I told the others the new plan. I didn't expect to get all of the whispering wolves, but we'd at least get a decent number of them.

The wolves poured in through the alleys, their quiet laughs, and hushed whispers becoming the only sound outside. They sniffed furtively at the air, trying to track us. I had Gerald beside me, to watch them so he could use his vines when needed. The wind users by the barricade in case anyone upstairs decided now was a good time to fight. At the very least, this much resources dedicated to the warehouse meant they weren't likely to drop the entire building on top of us.

I silently gestured towards the men at the entrance, all of us silently holding our breath. A few of the wolves moved to the alleys, while I made a blooming motion with my hands, followed by pointing to my nose then holding it. Gerald nodded while a few flowers bloomed, making it harder for us to be tracked. Gerald continued to make a spear shoot reach the ground from the still burning vines, then started to scratch it against the dirt. A small sound we couldn't hear, but the whispering wolves picked up on it just fine.

The wolves moved closer as the fire grew hotter inside. I pointed at the fire users, making a silent explosion with my hands, before counting down with my fingers. The burst of fire happened suddenly, catching at least seven of the wolves, killing the closest two, and burning the other five. The sudden burst of sound startling a few as Gerald had the thrashing vines wrap around a few more, tearing them apart. Then everything froze as we heard the bellowing of a fiend, the sound of buildings demolished as it was close enough to hear. This wasn't right, it should be going on a rampage like that. Not if it was tamed, unless the hag didn't even care about collateral damage.

I pursed my lips, realizing that the fiend was tearing through buildings so something wasn't right here. That was when the men at the barricade started to yell about the gnomes coming down. They were pouring oil, that started to spread along the floor. My eyes went wide, "Out now!" We were forced onto the streets as the fire chased after us, the gnomes inside holding out on their combat magic earlier.

The wolves were still in disarray, but started focusing on us. "Retreat! This raid is lost!" Cutty was thankfully immune to their tongues as he ran out in front, but bruises were left, as his ribs were broken. The water boys were taken out, their stomachs pierced as blood and bile was drank by the wolves. Gerald raised a few spear shoots, protecting the rest, but the wind boys had to resort to using Cutty as a shield, despite him being unconscious after a few more strikes.

I lowered my head, realizing that there wasn't a good way to make it out. If I wasn't wounded, I could make a grand last stand. Still it might be just enough. I drew blood from Rodger, until he felt light headed, a small sphere floating as I whispered, "Get everyone out of here. Tell the Minotaur, I died as I lived. Fighting until I bled."

Rodger nodded, as I leaned against the wall three tongues piercing me. They wanted blood, so they could have it. My blood pressure dropped, as I forced just enough pressure to keep me awake. Forcing my blood through the tubes of the tongues, and slicing through their insides. I fell to my knees, taking Rodger's blood into my body. The fiend emerging from the opposite end of the building. It had bone armor, and war paint on it. Ritual magic that likely made it stronger . Bone arm plates with a curved spike jutting out the top. Perfect for such a wicked creature.

The wolves were starting to chase through the alley, but I pointed my cane at two, dropping just a few more. I pulled what blood I could afford, back into my body through the cane, but I was essentially empty. I laid back against the wall, reaching for my gourd. I saw Gerald out of the corner of my eye, spear shoots impaling the whispering wolves from below, raising them into the air as they missed me by mere inches. The Fiend immediately focused on Gerald, because of course it wanted to eat someone with rare magic like that.

"Come on! You need to get up old man!" Gerald was running towards me. I barely had the strength to pick up my cane. A wolf coming behind the boy. I tried to aim, but found my muscles not as fast as I needed them to be. A blur sliced through the tongue before it could hurt the boy. The beast slain not even a few steps after as Gerald turned around.

The vampire still wearing that mask, was standing there, claws dripping with blood. He picked the wolf up by the torso, a stinger draining it, as he bowed. "I believe with the retreat, you are down to two men. I am happy to assist as per our arrangement."

Gerald narrowed his eyes, "What arrangement?"

The Fiend was creeping closer, its lumbering form stalking past the warehouse, as it picked up debris to throw. "Well, I doubt I can handle a fiend on my own. We have better things to do, and can have this conversation later."

The Fiend threw a few large rocks at us, while the vampire moved carrying us both into the alley. I coughed a little as I was jostled, but we weren't dead. "Fine, keep the boy safe and we'll see if I can give you what you want if I'm not dead."

"Most excellent." He took off his hood, picking me up in a princess carry. "We should hurry to where we first met. You have more seeds there, and we'll need to work together to take this beast down."

----------------------------------------

Gray The Great

This body might be stronger than a regular person, but before a fiend that was paltry. To make matters worse, its strength appears to be bolstered by the war paint, the armor, or some other unseen force. At least going by how easily it was able to shrug through the buildings without any effort at all. Perhaps a talent was in use? There was too much we didn't know.

Gerald agreed to hurry back to his seeds, whispering, "I need time to prepare them can you buy that for me?"

I offered him Isaac, as we rounded a corner. "If there is one thing I'm good at, it's talking too much." I smiled under my mask. |"Argus dear, may I perhaps borrow your talent? I'm in a rather difficult spot."|

Gerald took Isaac without a word, as I poked out behind the corner. The fiend unable to track us, since we were not using magic, and thrown off by the giants connecting and disconnecting from each other to give me some sight over the situation. |"No, I need it to focus on guiding all of the giants and attacking the other warehouses."|

I climbed a building, picking up a rock once on top. My claws should be able to pierce the hide of the monster, but I'd need to use blood to move away from it without getting caught. |"Fair enough, but do be prepared to ask the Queen to help you with your task. I'm fighting a fiend at the moment."| I jumped over a few rooftops, when the fiend turned to stare at me. It could sense the conversation I was having, as well as the connection to the Hive. It seemed to grin, before grabbing debris from a recently demolished building and chucking it.

I moved out of the way, the lumbering creature letting out a taunting chortle, and beating its chest. |"When that time comes, we'll talk. Also, she just finished up. Though they are making her stay for the announcement of winning the tournament."|

I jumped a couple more buildings while the Fiend followed where I was going. A rock thrown at its face was enough to keep its interest as it continued following after. It appeared that many of the people fled when they saw the Minotaur's banner earlier. A pattern would continue for a short while. The fiend would throw debris from a nearby building at me, while I moved and dodged. I circled back, or threw a rock to keep it from noticing Gerald's magic in the distance. I probably could have kept this up for a couple hours.

Then it happened, a scream coming from inside one of the buildings. Both the fiend and myself paused, I risked using a giant to confirm what happened. A collared slave was half crushed from the fiend demolishing the building she was in. She was clutching an infant, while the fiend cruelly smiled down at the two. By all right, letting the fiend have its fun for a couple minutes should give Gerald more time. This slave and their child were nothing to me or the Hive.

By some unknown compulsion, I jumped closer towards the fiend. Rocks in my hand, as I threw them harder, burning blood to strike the beast. I could see that cruel grin as it likely wanted to devour the infant before its own mother. It was heedless to my stone throwing. I used more blood, to rush forward, launching myself at the beast's shoulder. I dug my claws into that same shoulder, a small speck but I was able to draw blood and harm it regardless. I drank as much as I could, before jumping back, the fiend roaring.

My body felt heady, from the blood I drank. A sort of tingling sensation, that made the fiend's blood taste divine. Licking my lips I moved back as it charged in an attempt to ram me with its horns. It would not give me the time to climb another building, and it took full advantage of it's size to lunge and chase. That body moved through the alleys, back towards the center.

My second body appearing before the woman, as she trembled. There was nothing special about her, or the child she held. I sniffed them for a moment, to find they wouldn't offer anything to the Hive, and the woman herself was well beyond saving. With a slight sigh, I rose back up, preparing to hide this body nearby, when my ankle was grabbed. The half elf looked up to me, blood staining her fair face and leaking from her eyes.

I started to pull away, as she coughed up blood, her grip becoming stronger. "Save... him..." She coughed up more blood, "Please." Every ounce of strength she held, was poured into those words, her life fleeting before my eyes. There wasn't fear there, just sheer determination, a soul that had accepted its fate, but chose to fight for the benefit of another. In those unyielding eyes, I saw our Queen and the child as her offspring.

My focus on the other body was lost, as the fiend charged it through a set of buildings into the open area where Gerald was almost finished setting up. My attention turned back to this woman, as I discovered the talent she used on me. I peered into her mind, taking her memories for the Hive. Understanding that her talent allowed her to command a vampire if her will was stronger. She had attacked me, in a desperate attempt to bind me to her will. The illusion gone, as she looked at me with pleading eyes. She had cost me a body, and there was no reason to do as she wanted.

Everything I knew said to slay this woman, and leave her child to rot. Yet, I found myself kneeling before her. An action not born of her power, but by my own choice. Perhaps one day, our Queen might be like this woman. Some cruel twist of fate forcing her to sacrifice herself to save a future queen. It made me realize, that if our situations were reversed, I would want whatever foreign power there was, to seize that child. To protect it. The woman's eyes were growing foggy, as she held onto life for just a few more precious seconds.

"Your child is safe now, we will protect him while he grows. Rest easy now." I gently took the infant from the mother as her strength left her. I knew their name, and reported what happened to the Queen. For the first time we had the memories of a slave, how such a life could be endured. The memories of a mother that would die for their child, and how they viewed this kindness. I cradled the infant, running to the closest giants we could afford to send it back with. My fight was not over, and my other body could still move despite the damage.